Super Robot Quest

Basarin · Oct 20, 2020

Is this the longest non-turn non-option post I've written?

It might be.

This started as something I began on my lunch break, and then it swiftly morphed and grew into something much larger. I was never quite satisfied with earlier drafts, so I kept writing and writing.

Is this any better? I'm not sure. I hope you all enjoy regardless.

1732, 27 July A.D. 2072
<ERROR: LOCALE UNKNOWN>

"Arrow 1 moving in. Be advised, engines are acting a little strange."

"Arrow 2, no issues so far."

"Arrow 3 here. Be advised, target identified...tank."

The last word from the third group's lead pilot was practically dripping in confusion even over the radio. Wallace couldn't blame him - what should have been an isolated Intelligence team and an easy and substantial victory was already packing an unusual surprise. These damned things had better work, he thought to himself. But even if he had the finished models that Pak had promised to deliver on, asking them to take on a freaking tank, giant robot edition or not, was still a very tall order. "Rush in and overwhelm it," he decided, relaying that order to his aides. "Don't give them any breathing room to fight back." The alternative - which was one Wallace did not want to think about - was the possibility that there were more hiding nearby.

Combat - Round 1

Wallace tuned out the chatter as he focused on the battle, the Tank-Mobiles of Arrows 1 and 2 already screeching towards the tank opening fire. Even if Westphalia's usual tricks of smuggling in heavy weaponry beneath the Union's noses was being turned back on him for once, between the prototypes and the Walkers, he should have enough to overwhelm the tank without committing his reserves. Or Bruce. He didn't want to commit Bruce, even if he was ready to. Some of the rounds from the autocannons were already pinging off of the Centurion's plates, some scoring some minor gouges along the edges...

"Hurry up and finish it off," he ordered. "Before the intelligence team can get away!"

1735, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

"Somehow I don't think they realize we already got away," Anna commented cheerfully over the radio link.

"Little. Busy!" Ichiro growled, wincing slightly as he felt the fired shells ping off of his plates. For all that the Legion was making energy blasters look like the next big thing, conventional weaponry still stung. "Hold still," he muttered to himself as he rushed forward, plowing through the miniature dust plumes kicked up by the many, many rounds that were aimed his way. The Walkers - we need a better name for those - was walking slowly towards him from further back, arm-mounted rotary guns spinning constantly as they spat out round after round in one, long unending burst, literally leaving a trail of shell casings that scattered all around it as it continued moving forwards.

But they weren't doing much, not yet. No, his attention was towards the armored buggies. They really, really looked that much uglier up close - anywhere from conventional-ish looking armored cabs all the way to what almost looked like a patch job that might have started life as an SUV frame. All mounted with heavier autocannons, and the ones that were actually scoring hits. "Hold still," he growled again - the turret whirred as it turned about slowly, attempting to lead the target group as he felt his internals load a high explosive round. "and-!"

Ichiro felt his whole frame kick back slightly and shudder as the turret spat fire, a fiery, yellowish bolt hurling towards the group of cobbled together vehicles. Yet before the shell could impact onto the ground and release its high explosive energy, the vehicle pilots scattered almost immediately, one vehicle even somehow still operating despite the force of the impact having flipped him pot over tea kettle. Even through the scattered debris and the fire of the explosive impact, the vehicles kept plodding on through, their cannons still aimed and firing annoyingly at him.

"Okay, that's it."

Already accelerating towards the fight, and already at ranges that a traditional main battle tank might find less than healthy, Ichiro charged.

1736, 27 July A.D. 2072
<ERROR: LOCALE UNKNOWN>

"What-?"

That was the only word Wallace could muster as he saw the next few seconds unfold through Arrow 1's video feed. He knew, intellectually, that the new Union tanks could transform.

But this!?

Before his eyes, honest to god rockets below the chassis ignited, sending the tank upwards in defiance of gravity, and with the chassis tilting forwards as if it were about to roll over. Yet instead of having the decency to simply collapse and crumple to spare them the trouble, the goddamned tank changed. The front of the tank unfolded, forming into arms that the damned cannon had latched onto whilst the back extended and unfolded into legs. A humanoid head emerged, and its fist was already reared back, oddly tinted forearms glinting in the setting sun as it was about to land onto the nearest concentration of Tank-Mobiles. "Arrow 1, evade-!"

1736, 27 July A.D. 2072
Shade Command Vehicle

"Ouch." Anna winced as she saw the utter carnage that was on display. With a really impressive jump and forward momentum, Ichiro's first battle configuration saw him slam into the formation. Ichiro's fist smashed through the first Tank-Mobile, barely even meeting any resistance. Without missing a beat, Ichiro just kept going, his fist flying through the scattering debris as the Zirvitium-lined fist then slammed into another of the improvised machines. Anna just barely caught the fist leaving behind an impact crater right outside where the engine block might be, moments before it simply shattered, sending parts and debris flying all about him.

Ichiro was far from done - in fact, despite some of the battle damage showing in his humanoid form, he seemed to have a grin on his face as he laid waste into the machines with every evidence of glee - but Anna's mind was already moving on. Why do those components look kind of familiar? she wondered, fingers already scrambling across the keyboard as she sought to bring back footage from just seconds ago. "Freeze frame, magnify on point of impact after impact," she muttered to herself...

Wait a minute. On the freeze frame, bits of vehicle and ammunition were scattering, yes. But those were...hands. Joints. What might be a head mount. "Well, shit," she muttered.

"Anna? You, uh, noticing something about these guys?"

"The humanoid bits?" she replied grimly.

"Yeah...was kind of hoping you were gonna say I was-"

"-joking, but no. You're seeing it. They're prototypes for configuration-!"

Combat - Round Two

As if realizing that the cat was out of the bag, the exteriors of the machines began to explode off of them, plating simply falling off as limbs began to unfold. The machines were still rolling along, but the machines were rearing upwards, entire chunks of the former cars simply being shed like a second skin and left behind on the field. A blocky, bulky 'head' unit was revealed mounted on the top, just simply a square metal block with a large camera unit mounted atop it as the drivers' compartments righted themselves. It was...eerily similar to the footage of the old CRX models that Wilde and Henry had shown them-

The moment ceased as the configurations abruptly halted midshift. Here, one arm simply refused to unfold, the beginnings of what looked like a rocket launcher peeking out before folding right back in. Another's leg was seemingly stuck, leaving it with one leg extended and the other still stuck in wheeled form. All around, the group that Ichiro had smashed into were having difficulties configuring, even if the one left untouched had unfolded their mecha forms without too much difficulty. "They're not finished," Anna noticed, filing that thought about the similarities for later, for future mulling. "They can't be - they're leaving too much of themselves out behind to go back to car modes..."

1738, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

"Yeah, kinda noticed that too," Ichiro noticed. This was...well, it was a nasty surprise. He'd grown so used to the Institute having the monopoly on these things - but with the Major so deadset on ensuring the Union also had access to these machines, he supposed it was inevitable that the Westphalians would get their hands on some of them. As it was... "There's not enough car left to turn back into-"

If Ichiro could have blinked, he would have at that moment. One of the Tank-Mobiles simply exploded, a fireball from the inside simply immolating the poor machine before it collapsed. The driver frantically dove out of the machine, miraculously surviving whatever had triggered the explosion. But even as the small figure risked broken limbs over sure death by barbecue, more of the machines were launching what looked like disposable launchers. Ichiro was already running through as fast as he could, barely noticing that the rockets that did manage to fire and detonate around him were of a particularly powerful punch, military grade even. But they couldn't have that many of them, not with those kinds of frames. He just had to-

*SLAM*

What felt like the world's largest basketball slammed into Ichiro's left shoulder, knocking his sense of balance off and sending him sprawling to the ground. Gritting his nonexistent teeth, Ichiro looked up from having eaten dirt to see the Walkers had decided to change tactics, large shoulder cannons firing solid slug rounds his way. His vision shifted suddenly, as another targeting window through his optics surfaced - Anna's own target telemetry of the Walkers, the trajectories of their next few salvos highlighted around him. "Thanks," he muttered with a slight smirk. At least, for however long Anna could keep this up, it was less likely he was going to get bludgeoned in the face again. He liked his face the way it was, thank you very much.

Ichiro curled himself up - and abruptly he was no longer lying down face first, but he was already rolling back along as a tank, ignoring as best he could the few rounds that did connect and simply ricocheted off of his natural armor. "Come on," he growled to himself. A moment later, the volume increased to a challenge. "Come on! You think you're all that!?"Just like that, the calm veneer slid away to reveal the simmering anger that was kept beneath a lid. He didn't even bother with loading a round this time - the malfunctioning, scattered survivors of the first group were desperately attempting to ready their weapons at him. Ichiro wasn't going to give them the time.

With a loud crunch, Ichiro simply slammed into one of the Tank-Mobiles, slapping it aside with the force of his mass and momentum without even looking back. Even as the remains of the vehicle came apart at the seams, Ichiro slammed into the remaining machine. To its credit, despite missing a functioning leg the Tank-Mobile attempted to hold its ground. Foolishly maybe against something that outmassed it so considerably - the machine held for one second before it simply collapsed, pinned to the ground.

Ichiro's fist configured back to humanoid first, and with a sound that resembled torn paper rather than screeching metal, Ichiro's fist slammed through the engine block, the fist using itself as a crutch to stabilize the rest of his form as he configured back to humanoid mode. Kneeling, and crouched next to the 'cockpit,' he said to the pilot, "I think you should leave." His optics, glowing a brighter purple, flared slightly to emphasize the point. "I'm not going to ask twice."

Combat - Round Three

Already dismissing the pilot (and leaving him to be picked up by Anna's crew, wherever the hell they were), Ichiro abruptly stood his ground as more rockets screamed in from the direction of the other group. The various debris and shrapnel pinged off of Ichiro's metal hide - he hoped the ungrateful pilot that had just ejected the glass shielding of his 'cockpit' appreciated the gesture long enough to be grabbed by Intelligence. A mess of projected rounds superimposed themselves between Ichiro and the Walkers, but he continued to walk through - it still stung, but more like how a human would react to having to walk through a heavy rainstorm. Unpleasant, but not harmful in actuality.

"Okay, I've had enough of you bastards," Ichiro growled. Unaware that he was subconsciously imitating Galbinus's firing posture, Ichiro braced his legs as he raised one arm towards the remaining Tank-Mobiles desperately firing their weapons at him. "Go away!"

Ichiro's vision was immediately obscured in smoke as the supercharged shot roared, even more exhaust billowing from the rear of the weapon...

1743, 27 July A.D. 2072
<ERROR: LOCALE UNKNOWN>

"Good god."

Wallace ignored his aides' shock, his own hand squeezing tightly on his command throne's armrest until his whitened knuckles were probably bending into the soft metal outright. The damned machine - and that had to be a machine, not a human in that thing - hadn't even waited for the smoke to clear. By the time it had dissipated, it was already charging towards Arrow 3, the ruined wreckages and scattered, defeated pilots left in his wake. They'd dealt it damage, certainly...but what kind of monsters were the Union creating!?

"This is Arrow 3. We need backup! Right now!" For a moment, Wallace didn't even notice the screaming coming from the usually calm pilot. "Now!! Do you hear me!? I need backup now or we'll all gone!"

"...dammit." This was not how the operation was supposed to go. The Intelligence team wasn't supposed to find anything about the acquisition. They weren't supposed to be guarded at all. And they were certainly not supposed to have the Union's best imitation of a Kaus tearing apart his vanguard. This was not what was promised...

...something he was going to have to talk to Koenig about. At least I'm in the right, here, he thought glumly. But I still have more. I can commit them all, and withdraw with honor. For whatever comfort that was worth. "Bruce!"

A trio of voices replied immediately. "Bruce standing-by, aye!"

"You are cleared to launch." Wallace just knew he was going to regret this...

1745, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

"Apologies for the delay." Ichiro looked up from the remains of the Tank-Mobiles he'd just wrecked. Or, more accurately, he looked down. He could do that safely, as the Walkers were desperately attempting to gain some distance - and for the moment, Ichiro needed the breather.

More of the pilots that had bailed out of their destroyed rides were already being rounded up - by Steeds. The armored compartments were unfolding long enough for the drivers to simply yank the dismounted Westphalians inside, presumably into custody from that point on. One machine had slid to a stop next to Ichiro's foot, and immediately configured into power armored form. I wonder if this is how Galbinus sees everyone else, Ichiro wondered - the smaller machines barely came up to his knee. "Westphalian intrusions here were more...intense than we expected."

"About time you all made it here!" Anna's voice chimed in. "What kept you?"

"Very militant records keepers. Westphalian strike teams were neutralized."

"The historians were Westphalian?"

"No, just very dedicated to their jobs, and irate to unscheduled walk-ins. The Westphalians were just a convenient excuse."

Before the conversation could get any stranger, the Shade rolled up, and Anna's head poked out of the driver's seat. "Paddy wagon's here!" she announced cheerfully. "Also, Ichiro - here!" The side door slid open, revealing a black rectangular case. "Katarina insisted I bring some just in case something like this happened!"

"Perfect." Ichiro opened the case, and his face immediately was illuminated with the bluish-green glow of processed Energy Shards. The shapes looked slightly different from the ones Galbinus and the Legion toted around, but they were Shards all the same, and made from the base's (relatively) new generator! With a practiced ease he didn't realize he had, he grabbed one immediately and slid it into the chest cavity that had opened. Indescribable, yet soothing - guess it's my caffeination - the shard dissolved as its nourishment spread along his circuits, with some of the damage mending itself as the Kaus-like body fixed the worst of it. He closed the lid, satisfied that there were at least two more Shards in there, and attached it to his hip. "Thanks, Anna."

"Thank your sister later." Her eyes narrowed, even if the smile remained on her face - a dangerous combination. "Someone thought they could round us up and take us out like we were tonight's takeout menu. This was a smash and grab, with maybe some follow up in case the first wave failed. This is going to require some more investigations, but...for now, we still have a job to do."

"Indeed." The agent piloting the Steed - Ichiro never caught his name, and Anna never bothered to introduce him - agreed. "Agent Smith and two of us can secure the pilots. The rest of us are at your disposal, Banner."

Before Ichiro could grow annoyed at his involuntary 'surname,' Anna's smile vanished as she read something on her console. A moment later, Ichiro learned why as the data was shared with him - additional contacts about to enter the battle space.

Including a big one.

"Clear out," Ichiro said. "Our turn again."

1749, 27 July A.D. 2072
"The Brute"

"Oh, we got ourselves a lively one, we do, Bruce!"

A giant metal foot slammed into the ground, leaving a shaped crater in its wake. A nearby tree unfortunate enough to simply be growing where it was abruptly uprooted, tilting to the side as the metal monstrosity simply passed by.

"Well, if you could hurry up and get a targettin' solution, Bruce, then he won't be so lively now, would he!?"

All about them, almost like hyper active asteroids or planets orbiting a star, more of the new fangled Tank-Mobiles were cruising along, making sure to stay well away from the footsteps of the mighty metal monster that led their charge. The unshackled beast, finally allowed free to play.

"Now, listen here, lads. You too especially, Bruce, you hear? All I'm saying is that this was all so very unnecessary. We were all doing just fine without some poncy gits on a floatin' tub tellin' us what to do." Another titanic crash heralded another step, with large chunks of earth and vegetation sent flying. Giant, boxy, and metallic. Weapons pods lining its flanks, no considerations made - or wanted - for a humanoid aesthetic like its smaller charges. Even the cockpit seemed stylized along the lines of a giant metal monster, jagged lines mimicking a wicked set of jaws as a single monocular camera glowed menacingly, scanning this way and that as it visibly cast its baleful glare along the battlefield - and towards its targets. "But then they have to go regulating, giving us rules, and when they don't like us complainin' about 'em, making posh and fancy super robots to put us all down. Well, I say no more, Bruce!"

"Aye, Bruce! Engines at maximum capacity so Bruce can close in with the proper weapons!"

"For the last bloody time, Bruce, I'll fire the weapons appropriate for the situation!"

"Settle down, Bruce." As one, three grime-encrusted faces inside of the jury rigged cockpit grinned as their respective stations lit up to life. "Alright, lads! One good charge, then! Westphalia!"

"Westphalia!" With a mighty groan of metal, one that almost sounded like a roar, the Brute strode forward, ready to enter the fray...

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
Centurion-chassis
Assigned to: SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
HP: 13/16

Arm Cannon: Has an arm cannon as part of his chassis. Can make a Heavy Weapon Strike as a free action at Advantage (3d6, Threshold of 5-6, deals 2 HP) every three rounds - refreshes on Round Six.
Strikes:
Counts as One Action (Notable Bonus may apply).
Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6, inflicts 1+1 HP on success.
Zirvitium-Plated Gauntlets: Adds +1HP damage to Strikes. Equipment will last for this battle only.
Shard Kit: Consumable. Restores +3HP per use as a Free Action. Two Charges remaining.
Relentless: If about to take a mortal strike, roll 1d6. A 4-6 will negate that damage.
Upgrade Slots: 1 (Unslotted at this time)

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner

Actions per Turn:
- 1
Notable Character:
- Can make two attacks per turn at 2d6 for 1 HP each. Counts as a single Action.
Hot Headed:
- Major Devin's calm nature is normally the personality that's reflected. However, this AI understands rage, and tends to bottle it up until he's had enough. Once every three turns, he may activate "Rage." For one turn, the AI will inflict twice as much damage, but also take twice as much incoming damage.

Alert! Defense Force airwaves indicating clearance of ground and airspace around battlefield. Protocols align with standard practice for MSS cooperation, additional support inbound. Exact arrival unknown.

CR-04 Steed-class (Intelligence Team)
Actions: 1
Strikes:

- Counts as One Action. Roll to Strike at an enemy at Disadvantage for 1d6 Three Times, Threshold of 4-6. Can inflict 1 HP per Strike. Can target multiple enemies if desired.

Flares:

- Counts as One Action.

- Can launch distracting flares to divert enemy attention. Will force the enemy to re-roll any Action of the Steed's choice.

- Guarantees the targeted enemy will dedicate next attack or Action towards the Steed.

- Can be used once every three combat turns.

Super Agile: May roll to avoid a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of 4-6. Diminishing Returns do not apply.
Support: Has no HP value. However, if Super Agile roll is failed, Steeds withdraw for two Combat Rounds before returning.

Anna Smith
Intelligence

Call Out: Can reduce an enemy's attack rolls by 1d6. Effect lasts for three rounds of combat. Refreshes after six rounds of combat - refreshes at Round Five.
Linked Telemetry: Can allow Banner to completely re-roll one failed roll (players indicate what type of re-roll this would be applied to). Refreshes after nine rounds of combat. Banner must keep the new result.
Tactical Analysis: Will reveal additional details of enemy forces over time. Passive skill.

"Walkers"
Formations: 1 remaining
HP: Unknown
Rotary Cannon: Can strike 2d6 for up to 2 HP (exact figure unobserved). Additional traits unobserved.
Main Cannon: Heavy Weapon Strike. Success deals 2 HP.

"Tank Mobiles +"
Formations: None Remaining (Additional groups arriving on Round Five, suspected two additional groups)
HP: 5-7 (Exact figure unknown)
Conventional Weaponry: Can strike 2d6 to inflict 1 HP.
Lesser Agility: May re-roll a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of at least 5-6).
Configuration-capable
Malfunction? - The machines are not fully ready, seem to suffer in transition from vehicle to mecha...exact consequences unknown.
Disposable Rocket Tubes - Can strike at advantage (3d6), Inflicts 3 HP.

"The Brute"
Capabilities Unknown
Arrival estimated Rounds Five-Six

Ichiro is back to 13 HP because Ichiro already used one charge out of three. He has two remaining.

Basarin · Oct 22, 2020

The QM clearly can't read his own notes. Call Out wasn't supposed to refresh until Round Eight, but I typed in Round Five. I'll give you this one, but the next full refresh stands!

Ichiro to take down the Walkers and Tank Mobiles first, but save the Arm Cannon to use against "The Brute" when possible. Use Shard Kits at Ichiro's discretion.
Anna saves Call out to use against "The Brute", saves Linked Telemetry for whatever appears to be The Brute's strongest attack.
Steeds focus on lesser enemies (Walkers first, then tank-mobiles). Use Flares when the reinforcing Tank mobiles use their disposable rocket launchers. Once Tank Mobile's Disposable Rockets are used up, use Flares on the Brute whenever it is not affected by Anna's Call out.

DFRI: Rolls

Walkers are desperately backing off, firing their rotary cannons at Ichiro.
Rolls: 5+2!
The deadly purpose of the rotary cannons becomes more apparent as the firing rate accelerates. Inflicts 1 HP! Rolls for increasing damage at Disadvantage (1d6)!
Rolls: 2!
The rest of the ground around Ichiro is torn to shreds, but Ichiro is unharmed otherwise.

Ichiro charges in, wanting to hoard his options until the Brute arrives. He charges at the Walkers.
Rolls: 1+4.
Misses, but applies Notable to try again.
Rolls: 6+3!
Hits! Ichiro lands a solid hit on the Walkers, dealing 1+1 HP.

The Steeds zoom into the opening provided by Ichiro. Death by three cuts! (The 997 others can come later) Striking at Disadvantage (1d6):
Rolls: 6! 5! 5!
The Intelligence pilots are frighteningly competent so far. All three Strikes connect; the Walkers are torn apart and are out of the combat.

For destroying the Walkers before reinforcements can arrive, Union forces have a chance to wrest the initiative back. Will succeed on 4-6.
Rolls: 4!
Success; Ichiro and the Steeds have a chance to ready themselves. They now go first in the turn order.

Enter the Brute. Reinforcements have arrived a touch too late - but the battle continues. The Super-Heavy Walker, "The Brute," has arrived, escorted by 2x Tank-Mobile+ squads (in vehicle mode).

Ichiro: The big monster will be less scary without the helpers. Go after the rip-offs! Striking first Tank-Mobile+ squad!
Rolls: 4+1.
Misses. Notable applies, striking again.
Rolls: 1+5.
Hits; successfully smashes into the squad.

The Tank-Mobile+ attempt to swerve out of the way with Lesser Agility:
Rolls: 6+2.
They successfully dodge; no damage taken.

Steeds decide to keep the Tank-Mobile+ targeted by Ichiro off-balance. It's a regular old dirty rally as they surround and slam into the Westphalian vehicles.
Rolls: 5, 2, 3.
They land one hit; Tank-Mobile+ rolls Limited Agility with Diminishing Returns (must roll 6 to succeed).
Rolls: 4+1.
Fails; they sustain 1 HP of damage.

Anna uses Call Out on the Brute immediately! "Let's not risk anything with big and stompy over there..." Reduces the Brute's attack rolls by d6 for the next Three Rounds (wears off at Round Eight).

The Tank-Mobiles aren't going to just take this. They slam back into the Steeds.
Rolls: 3+5!
Success; the Steeds attempt to dodge via Super Agility.
Rolls: 4+2!
No success at all - the Steeds prove their combat agility with grace.

The second Tank-Mobile squad charge after Ichiro.
Rolls: 6+2!
Hits! Inflicts 1 HP on Ichiro.

The Brute has already identified Ichiro as the biggest threat. It stomps after him, launching a Rocket Claw!
Rolls: 6+3! (Yes, with Call Out in play)
It smashes into Ichiro, slamming him to the ground for 2 HP! Rolls again at Disadvantage (1d6) for follow up!
Rolls: 2!
The Rocket Claw flings Ichiro towards debris, but he manages to make the landing instead.

Ichiro wants and needs to get the helpers out of the way. Smashes into the same Tank-Mobiles again!
Rolls: 5+6!
Very good hit! Tank-Mobiles attempt to use Limited Agility.
Rolls: 4+3!
They fail, sustain 1+1 HP. Ichiro applies Notable to go again!
Rolls: 1+5!
It's a really, really bad day to be that Tank-Mobile Squad. They attempt to dodge again, this time with Diminishing Returns.
Rolls: 1+2.
They suffer another 1+1 HP.

The Steeds swoop in for the kill, splitting their Strikes if possible.
Rolling: 2, 1, 3.
Somehow, the Tank-Mobiles are hanging on for dear life-

INTERRUPT

In dynamic fashion, Valiant arrives! Boomerang Arm bounces off of Tank-Mobile at Disadvantage (d6)!
Rolls: 6!
Inflicts 1 HP - Tank-Mobiles go down! Boomerang's course bounces it to the next!
Rolls: 4!
Does not appreciatively deal that much damage unfortunately. But it still has one final enemy to bounce off of!
Rolls: 6!
This would deal damage, but Brute trait revealed: Scrap Armor (Reduces damage by 1 HP)!

Erika Drake has arrived on the scene, and Valiant's limbs reattach themselves, ready to fight!

The Tank-Mobiles recognize Valiant on sight - and panic. Rolling for configuration Malfunction.
Rolls: 5!
As per previous rounds' logic (which will be changed for future), there are malfunctions! Loses d6 in next roll.

Despite the complications, they attempt to fire on Valiant with the rockets!
Rolls: 1+2.
Not even close. The rockets go wildly off course.

Brute is, admittedly, also fixated on Valiant, at least for the moment. Fires Rocket Pods!
Rolls: 6+1!
Hits! Valiant rolls for Agile:
Rolls: 5+4!
Easy dodge. Brute fires second half of salvo!
Rolls: 6+5!
Hit! Valiant rolls againwith Diminishing Return for Agile (must roll 5).
Rolls: 5+2!
Succeeds! Still dodges.

Erika Drake and the Valiant arrive as full combatants! Stats are listed below.

Ichiro uses the next charge of Shards, bringing HP back to 12/16. One charge remains.

No reinforcements are inbound - the Brute and one squad

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
Centurion-chassis
Assigned to: SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
HP: 12/16

Arm Cannon: Has an arm cannon as part of his chassis. Can make a Heavy Weapon Strike as a free action at Advantage (3d6, Threshold of 5-6, deals 2 HP) every three rounds - Available.
Strikes:

Counts as One Action (Notable Bonus may apply).

Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6, inflicts 1+1 HP on success.

Zirvitium-Plated Gauntlets: Adds +1HP damage to Strikes. Equipment will last for this battle only.
Shard Kit: Consumable. Restores +3HP per use as a Free Action. One Charge remaining.
Relentless: If about to take a mortal strike, roll 1d6. A 4-6 will negate that damage.
Upgrade Slots: 1 (Unslotted at this time)

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner

Actions per Turn:
- 1
Notable Character:
- Can Strike twice per turn at 2d6 for 1 HP each. Counts as a single Action.
Hot Headed:
- Major Devin's calm nature is normally the personality that's reflected. However, this AI understands rage, and tends to bottle it up until he's had enough. Once every three turns, he may activate "Rage." For one turn, the AI will inflict twice as much damage, but also take twice as much incoming damage.

Valiant
Piloted by Erika Drake
HP: 12 (4/4 Limb HP)
Agile: May roll to avoid a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of 4-6.

Diminishing Returns: After two successful agile rolls, Threshold increases to 5-6 and then 6 for subsequent rolls that round.

Dynim-powered Limbs:

- Valiant's limbs will take damage first. If limbs are destroyed, Valiant loses currently assigned weapon and cannot attack; must replace limbs as a full Action before attacking again.

Equipment:

- Can equip different limbs and weapons mid-battle. Can have two equipped at any time. Replacing Limbs takes a Full Action.

- Blade:

- Enables Strike. Notable bonus applies.

- Enables 'Parry'

- Flak Cannon: Heavy Weapons Strike. Rolls at Advantage (3d6) to inflict 2 HP. Does not refresh - must spend an Action to reload.

- Shield: Reduces 1 HP of incoming damage. Can absorb 5 HP of damage before failing.

- Boomerang Limbs: May sacrifice 2 HP from Limbs to attack up to three separate groups for 1 HP each. On a successful roll (Threshold of 4-6 at 2d6), the limbs and HP return. A failed roll allows the attack, but you lose the HP.

Erika Drake

Actions per Turn:
- 1
Notable Character:

- Can Strike twice per turn at 2d6 for 1 HP each. Counts as a single Action.

Excellent Help:

- Can call on Patrick to ready extra limbs on a moment's notice. The next limb replacement takes no Action. Refreshes after Nine Rounds.

Aspiring Swordswoman:

- When Blade is equipped, can use 'Parry'

- Parry:

- Once per turn, you may attempt to Parry an incoming attack at Disadvantage (1d6). A success at 4-6 will negate damage.

CR-04 Steed-class (Intelligence Team)
Actions: 1
Strikes:

- Counts as One Action. Roll to Strike at an enemy at Disadvantage for 1d6 Three Times, Threshold of 4-6. Can inflict 1 HP per Strike. Can target multiple enemies if desired.

Flares:

- Counts as One Action.

- Can launch distracting flares to divert enemy attention. Will force the enemy to re-roll any Action of the Steed's choice. If available, can launch as a Defensive Action off-round (but gives up Action for upcoming round).

- Guarantees the targeted enemy will dedicate next attack or Action towards the Steed.

- Can be used once every three combat turns.

Super Agile: May roll to avoid a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of 4-6. Diminishing Returns do not apply.
Support: Has no HP value. However, if Super Agile roll is failed, Steeds withdraw for two Combat Rounds before returning.

Anna Smith
Intelligence

Call Out: Can reduce an enemy's attack rolls by 1d6. Effect lasts for three rounds of combat. Refreshes after six rounds of combat - refreshes at Round Eleven.
Linked Telemetry: Can allow Banner to completely re-roll one failed roll (players indicate what type of re-roll this would be applied to). Can also force a re-roll Off-Round of an enemy roll. Refreshes after nine rounds of combat. Banner must keep the new result.
Tactical Analysis: Will reveal additional details of enemy forces over time. Passive skill.

"Walkers"
Formations: None remaining
HP: 5-6
Rotary Cannon:

- Can strike 2d6 for 1-2 HP (exact figure unobserved). Additional traits unobserved.

Main Cannon:

- Heavy Weapon Strike. Success deals 2 HP.

"Tank Mobiles +"
Formations: One Remaining
HP: 5-7 (Exact figure unknown)
Conventional Weaponry:

- Can strike 2d6 to inflict 1 HP.

Lesser Agility:

- May re-roll a successful enemy attack at 2d6 (Threshold of at least 5-6).

Configuration-capable
Malfunction?

- The machines are not fully ready, seem to suffer in transition from vehicle to mecha...exact consequences unknown.

Disposable Rocket Tubes:

- Can strike at advantage (3d6), Inflicts 3 HP.

"The Brute"
Rocket Claw:

- Strikes at Advantage (3d6) for 2 HP. Immediately follow up at Disadvantage (1d6) to inflict 1 HP more.

Rocket Pods:

- Heavy Weapons Strike. Fires two salvos at 2d6 each, can inflict 2 HP per success.

Scrap Armor:

- Reduce incoming damage by 1 HP. Limits unknown.

Further Capabilities not yet observed.

Phew. This took awhile, and then formatting got the better of me. Hope I didn't miss anything...

...I probably missed something. I'm sure I'll learn of it in the morning.

Basarin · Oct 24, 2020

1751, 27 July A.D. 2072
<ERROR: LOCALE UNKNOWN>

Combat, Round Four

"Fire! Fire!" The pilots of Arrow 3 were desperately attempting to hose down as much fire as possible, fighting the recoil of the rotary cannons as trigger discipline all but flew off into the wind. Brass shell casings ejected in an outright stream, clattering with cheerful sounding clink noises as their older machines backpedaled away from the oncoming Centurion tank. Some rounds were scoring deep gouges into the armor plate, but for the most part, all they accomplished was to utterly destroy the landscape around the not-tank, giant plumes of dirt and earth flying into the air. All it did was to almost serve as an impromptu smokescreen for the new mechanical monstrosity that the Union had somehow cooked up.

Wallace gritted his teeth beneath his mask as the tank blithely carried on, shrugging off damage that even a solitary tank from just two years ago would have thought twice about. They were wounding it, but they were not doing enough to it. The tank - at least at that particular moment it was a tank - fired once again, but the warmachines were able to sidestep just at the right moment, the round sailing harmlessly past them-

-but clearly the warmachine learned from its experiences with the now-scrapped Tank-Mobiles. Almost a split moment later, at speeds that would be impossible for a mortal crew, another round was fired immediately. The explosive round detonated at the feet of one of Arrow 3's mechs, sending it staggering and disrupting the tight, desperate formation the pilots were attempting to maintain until Bruce could arrive. The pilot desperately fought to maintain his machine's balance, but as the sparking, shredded legs simply gave way, it toppled over to its side with a resounding crunch.

It was right about that moment that the Union decided to send motorcycles of all things.

1754, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

Ichiro configured back into his humanoid shape, but soon he realized he didn't need to have bothered. The Intelligence team were absolutely tearing into the last two of the Walkers, circling around them like an anachronistic biker gang. Only instead of chains, clubs or whatever weapons were at hand, they were utilizing slashing attacks via quick configurations that even Richard would have been mildly impressed with. As one motorcycle slammed into the legs of one Walker, the next was already configured into power armor, using their momentum to plow into the weakened machine or to place magnetic explosives onto them. It was a never ending, never ceasing orchestra of motion.

And as the final Walker was brought down, the Intelligence pilots immediately dispersed once again, already right back into motion as the looming giant in the distance drew closer. "Why are we always David fighting Goliath?" Ichiro grumbled to himself. "If it's not Kaiju, it's giant robots. Or a bigger Kaus at the rate I'm gonna go."

"You sure you earned the right to complain about it yet?" Anna asked.

"Give it time, I'll get there." Ichiro stood firm on that one. Shifting gears, his internal targeting system began to ping the oncoming forces. "More of those buggy things," he noted, "two squads' worth. And that...thing." In all honesty, even from where he was from, Ichiro was impressed that the Westphalians could - or would - build something that ridiculous. "How the hell do they even hide that thing?" The very earth seemed to shake every so often with each step, independent rocket pods already attempting to seek targets whilst a claw appendage on its right side was already snapping, discordant metal screeches echoing with every little bit of motion. Whoever was piloting it clearly had confidence that they could win.

Combat, Round Five

"Whatever that big thing is, let's get rid of the help first," Ichiro decided. "You guys, follow me, and let's tear these jokers apart."

"Just keep an eye out for the big one," Anna cautioned. "Feeding you what I've got, but I still don't know what else it might have brought to the party."

"One way to find out, I guess."

1758, 27 July A.D. 2072
"The Brute"

"Look lively, Bruce!" Bruce laughed cheerfully as he manhandled the controls - nothing more than a few levers, a steering wheel, and maybe a pedal or two. Shifting one of the levers back and letting pressure off of one of the pedals, he grinned with manic glee as he felt the Brute lumber along its left foot, stomping down almost smack dab into the middle of the swirling melee that was taking place. "We got ourselves a right scrap 'ere, Bruce! Go on, let 'im have it!"

"Who, exactly, Bruce?" Where Bruce the pilot was jovial and cheerful, Bruce the gunner was a grumpier sort. Now, granted, that was probably because Bruce kept trying to tell Bruce how to do his job, but he was just so bad at it! "I don't have a bloody shot at any of them, and you know how snippy the ponces get when we clip our own!"

But Bruce had to concede that he had a point - the fight so far was nothing but downright mixed. The uni robot (and if that wasn't one of those newfangled Super Robots, he'd eat Bruce's hat) was slamming its fists into the ground, attempting to destroy the Tank-Mobile lads that'd been assigned to come with them. A tad overkill he'd thought, but wise old Bruce up at the fancy command seat reckoned that it might actually be needed. Given that the fists were gouging small craters into the ground while the Tank-Mobiles were desperately trying to apply all of those defensive driving lessons they'd forgotten back in their drinking days, he decided that there might have been a point to it.

To say nothing of the strange motorcycles. Where the tank robot was a giant trying to slam his fists into the terrified lads down there, the fights between the motorcycles and the Tank-Mobiles looked every little bit like a dirt rally. For whatever strange reason, the boffins who designed the Tank-Mobiles could only let the bloody things change one way and not the other, but the uni bastards had clearly figured it out - one moment the bikes were bikes, and then the next they were in power armor making like really aggressive hitchhikers as they attempted to slash at, shoot at, or latch onto the Tank-Mobiles to do some damage. Aside from one unfortunate bastard who'd been blinded by one attempt and had fallen into a pothole of the big robot's making, the wheels still spinning wildly even as the power armor put the engine block out of its misery, very little happened from that one-

"Bruce!"

"Aye, Bruce?" He looked over his shoulder to look over at Bruce, the lad with his fancy gadgets in the commander seat glowing something at them.

"That bloody tank robot. You see it?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to. Bring us closer, would you?"

"Ah. Right then! Bruce! Ready up!"

"Readying up, aye! Charge us in, Bruce!"

As if the machine recognized what was about to happen before Bruce even punched in the controls, the engine began to growl. Already at a low thrumming before, it raised in intensity until the very frame began to shake, and Bruce was confident that had the machine been able to, it would have pawed at the ground to get at a running start. A simple green light lit up next to the engine gauges, illuminating the grime-covered face of the engineer. Bruce grinned, and pushed the lever forwards.

And rocked back in his seat as the machine charged.

1801, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

"Ichiro, heads up-!"

Anna's warning came slightly too late as the Tank-Mobiles split off from their recent attack. Ichiro's optics widened slightly as he realized he'd slightly been too focused on the enemies in front of him to catch the giant metal monster that was charging at him-

And in this instance, the expression humans would have used was having the wind knocked out of him. Abruptly, the giant metal claw seemed to explode in place, but that illusion was quickly dispelled as through the still expanding fireball the massive claw fired at him, sharpened edges outstretched as a rapidly extending piece of chain rattled menacingly behind it. The claw connected, and slammed Ichiro into the ground, the momentum carrying him quite a distance away. Ichiro was barely aware of the claw attempting to tighten its grip on him, feeling metal growl and buckle in some place, and he was mildly aware of how the gesture sent him sliding past a few of the melees between the Steeds and the other machines-

Yet the chain began to recede as additional rockets practically next to his face fired, sending the claw swinging wildly in a wide arc more suited for toys than for machines of war. With a dismissive gesture, the claw simply released its hold onto him, probably assuming that the impact would do him in.

Nevermind the pain and disorientation; Ichiro found himself insulted by that thought.

The super AI's frame bounced once, then twice onto the ground, before righting himself, forcing his hands and one knee to dig into the ground. His limbs practically dug a small irrigation trench into the ground - gah, I hope this wasn't anyone's farm - but his momentum didn't slow for a good three seconds. One, two, three seconds passed before Ichiro exhaled sharply - he didn't need air, but it felt appropriate anyhow. "Okay," he grumbled to himself as he slowly stood up to his feet, dirt freely falling from his form as he rose. "Okay." More dents, more than a few cuts that probably would lead into something a bit more important - but he still had Shards to help temporarily fix that problem.

"Let's try this again."

1805, 27 July A.D. 2072
<ERROR: LOCALE UNKNOWN>

Combat, Round Six

"They're going to be bloody insufferable after this," Wallace grumbled to himself. But despite that, this was why he kept Bruce around. The sight of seeing the Union's machine (a Super Robot? He would have to ask around) get slammed into the ground by the Brute, and then simply flung around the countryside like a ragdoll, was deeply satisfying. It also was something of a cause for relief - at least the heavier machinery of Westphalia, even the older ones, still held bite to them. But as the tank mech simply got up to its feet again, there was a growing sense of dread as well. Not necessarily for this fight - they'd proven they could pose a threat to it repeatedly - but for the wider war. They'd clearly been complacent.

He watched as the Tank-Mobiles once again attempted to dodge once again - and this time, fail. The pilots' nerves were clearly getting to them, as the full destructive power of the mech was displayed in all its gruesome glory. He watched more of the prototype machines simply shatter from each blow, all but coming apart at the seams like a cheap model kit. Circuitry, wires, and more than a few shifted limbs laid scattered around the site of the massacre - and those damned motorcycles swooped in like so much vultures. The remaining two pilots were desperately attempting to hold on for dear life, but the situation as it was, even with Bruce, was already looking bad enough-

An alarm blared from one of his aides' consoles.

That alarm.

"Sir..."

"Damnation." It had arrived. Their chances for defeating the Earth Union machine and capturing the Intelligence team had just plummeted.

1804, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat

The last few pilots must not have even seen what did in their machines. At high speeds, what looked like a giant boomerang slammed into them, the abused frames finally unable to take any more punishment. Almost as if guided by some form of targeting, the boomerang - and whatever it was made of Ichiro could not get a close enough look at - bounced off of one of the buggy machines, though doing no damage. And as for the giant metal monster...Some parts of the machine simply fell off of the frame where it landed, but it seemed no worse for the wear.

Before Ichiro could raise any form of incredulity at what was happening, his optics picked up what a human's might have missed - sparks of energy going back in one direction, as if it were pulling the metal back towards it. And at no slower speed than its arrival-

The metals broke apart, revealing arms of all thing, latching onto a smaller frame. Electric arcs, now more visible in the spectrum, violently latched between both masses of metal before firmly slamming the distance shut between them - but Ichiro could see the raw amounts of electric energy coursing in that small frame. It looked every little bit like a knight, with a few concessions for its nature as what must have been a Super Robot. Green-tinted visor, angled metal construction, and a blockier torso that had to be the cockpit module meshed with a sized sword and shield to match, along with what looked like a personalized heraldry emblazoned on the corner of the cockpit.

Ichiro just shook his head. "Valiant, huh?"

"In the flesh." A new video link opened right below Anna's, and a cheerful young woman simply waved at him sardonically. Two control sticks were visible in front of her, along with other machine interface controls that he wasn't able to fully parse out at a glance. "Sorry for the delay, I had a bit of a discussion with my superiors on when I could launch. Erika Drake, charmed to meet you all."

"Happy to have you here with us." Ahh - Anna had linked her into the communications node. That was how she patched in. "Now, how about-?"

Whatever else was about to be said was cut off as the remaining Tank-Mobile machines seemed to do...something. It took Ichiro a moment to recall that this was technically Valiant's turf - and that reasonably the Westphalians might be a bit terrified of it. Just like the earlier machines, they had attempted to configure, their armor plating and wheels popping off as before - and just like that, the entire squad's configuration messed up. It then came as no surprise that whatever rockets they still had to hand all went flying wildly around Valiant, none of them even coming close to hitting her.

For her part, Erika just raised an eyebrow, bemused. "Well. They're normally better shots than that-" Her communication video cut short as the giant monstrosity's weapons pods erupted, and contrails of what looked like a rocket storm rained down onto Valiant's position. Almost as if the pilot aboard was insulted at the terrible display shown by the Tank-Mobiles and wanted to show them how it was done.

But for all its efforts, even through the dust storm, the Valiant remained untouched. "Well, that was just rude," Erika huffed again - her arm appeared to be missing, until it simply flew right back to her again, reattaching it without any loss of motion or function. "Right then. Let's show them what for, shall we?"

"Any advice for the big one?" Ichiro asked. His HUD flashed before his eyes for a moment as he slotted another Shard into his internals - he had one last one after that, but at least more of the display was showing a healthier green as opposed to concerned amber. "I didn't think they made them like that."

"Not the first time they brought the Brute out," Erika replied. "That lot stomped through Berlin the other year, and they bring it out to play every so often. Didn't have rockets last time, though, and I've no bloody clue what else they might have given it - surprised they still keep finding idiots stupid enough to pilot it. Keep hacking away at it, but I'd rather we got rid of its helpers first - by itself the Brute is more manageable."

"Fair enough," Anna replied cheerfully. "Alright, let's bring this thing down!"

"Don't make it sound too easy or anything," Ichiro grumbled.

Erika Drake and the Valiant arrive as full combatants! Stats are listed below.

Ichiro uses the next charge of Shards, bringing HP back to 12/16. One charge remains.

No reinforcements are inbound - the Brute and one squad

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
Centurion-chassis
Assigned to: SAI-01 Ichiro Banner
HP: 12/16

Arm Cannon: Has an arm cannon as part of his chassis. Can make a Heavy Weapon Strike as a free action at Advantage (3d6, Threshold of 5-6, deals 2 HP) every three rounds - Available.
Strikes:

Counts as One Action (Notable Bonus may apply).

Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6, inflicts 1+1 HP on success.

Zirvitium-Plated Gauntlets: Adds +1HP damage to Strikes. Equipment will last for this battle only.
Shard Kit: Consumable. Restores +3HP per use as a Free Action. One Charge remaining.
Relentless: If about to take a mortal strike, roll 1d6. A 4-6 will negate that damage.
Upgrade Slots: 1 (Unslotted at this time)

SAI-01 Ichiro Banner

Actions per Turn:

- 1

Notable Character:

- Can Strike twice per turn at 2d6 for 1 HP each. Counts as a single Action.

Hot Headed:

- Major Devin's calm nature is normally the personality that's reflected. However, this AI understands rage, and tends to bottle it up until he's had enough. Once every three turns, he may activate "Rage." For one turn, the AI will inflict twice as much damage, but also take twice as much incoming damage.

Valiant
Piloted by Erika Drake
HP: 12 (4/4 Limb HP)
Agile: May roll to avoid a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of 4-6.
Diminishing Returns: After two successful agile rolls, Threshold increases to 5-6 and then 6 for subsequent rolls that round.
Dynim-powered Limbs:

- Valiant's limbs will take damage first. If limbs are destroyed, Valiant loses currently assigned weapon and cannot attack; must replace limbs as a full Action before attacking again.

Equipment:

- Can equip different limbs and weapons mid-battle. Can have two equipped at any time. Replacing Limbs takes a Full Action.

- Blade:

- Enables Strike. Notable bonus applies.

- Enables 'Parry'

- Flak Cannon: Heavy Weapons Strike. Rolls at Advantage (3d6) to inflict 2 HP. Does not refresh - must spend an Action to reload.
- Shield: Reduces 1 HP of incoming damage. Can absorb 5 HP of damage before failing.
- Boomerang Limbs: May sacrifice 2 HP from Limbs to attack up to three separate groups for 1 HP each. On a successful roll (Threshold of 4-6 at 2d6), the limbs and HP return. A failed roll allows the attack, but you lose the HP.

Erika Drake

Actions per Turn:

- 1

Notable Character:

- Can Strike twice per turn at 2d6 for 1 HP each. Counts as a single Action.

Excellent Help:

- Can call on Patrick to ready extra limbs on a moment's notice. The next limb replacement takes no Action. Refreshes after Nine Rounds.

Aspiring Swordswoman:

- When Blade is equipped, can use 'Parry'

- Parry:

- Once per turn, you may attempt to Parry an incoming attack at Disadvantage (1d6). A success at 4-6 will negate damage.

CR-04 Steed-class (Intelligence Team)
Actions: 1
Strikes:

- Counts as One Action. Roll to Strike at an enemy at Disadvantage for 1d6 Three Times, Threshold of 4-6. Can inflict 1 HP per Strike. Can target multiple enemies if desired.

Flares:

- Counts as One Action.

- Can launch distracting flares to divert enemy attention. Will force the enemy to re-roll any Action of the Steed's choice. If available, can launch as a Defensive Action off-round (but gives up Action for upcoming round).

- Guarantees the targeted enemy will dedicate next attack or Action towards the Steed.

- Can be used once every three combat turns.

Super Agile: May roll to avoid a successful enemy attack at 2d6, Threshold of 4-6. Diminishing Returns do not apply.
Support: Has no HP value. However, if Super Agile roll is failed, Steeds withdraw for two Combat Rounds before returning.

Anna Smith
Intelligence

Call Out: Can reduce an enemy's attack rolls by 1d6. Effect lasts for three rounds of combat. Refreshes after six rounds of combat - refreshes at Round Eleven.
Linked Telemetry: Can allow Banner to completely re-roll one failed roll (players indicate what type of re-roll this would be applied to). Can also force a re-roll Off-Round of an enemy roll. Refreshes after nine rounds of combat. Banner must keep the new result.
Tactical Analysis: Will reveal additional details of enemy forces over time. Passive skill.

"Tank Mobiles +"
Formations: One Remaining
HP: 5-7 (Exact figure unknown)
Conventional Weaponry:

- Can strike 2d6 to inflict 1 HP.

Lesser Agility:

- May re-roll a successful enemy attack at 2d6 (Threshold of at least 5-6).

Configuration-capable
Malfunction

- The machines are not fully ready, seem to suffer in transition from vehicle to mecha. They lose 1d6 on their next attack.

Disposable Rocket Tubes:

- Can strike at advantage (3d6), Inflicts 3 HP.

"The Brute"
Rocket Claw:
- Strikes at Advantage (3d6) for 2 HP. Immediately follow up at Disadvantage (1d6) to inflict 1 HP more.
Rocket Pods:
- Heavy Weapons Strike. Fires two salvos at 2d6 each, can inflict 2 HP per success.
Scrap Armor:
- Reduce incoming damage by 1 HP. Limits unknown.
Further Capabilities not yet observed.

Basarin · Nov 8, 2020

With the dice post coming tomorrow due to events beyond my control today, the most I can offer you all is the new artwork - better to give you all this rather than nothing at all for the foreseeable future.

As a disclaimer, these bits of art do not have their alt modes for this batch. Sorry in advance!

So let's start with the Perseus.

As a reminder, this is the Super Robot core piloted by Tellison and Zhang, with the new SAI siblings assigned as the support arm. Already based off of an armored vehicle (like, say, an MRAP or Bradley APC), and since the naming schema already leaned towards Greco-Roman myth, I had the artist go with that theme.

Next up, we have the Valkyrie - or Thunder, depending on what you all actually decide upon.

This was based on the salvaged Pilum frame after the defeat of the Westphalian operative, "Warlord." The original Pilum frame was a heavily modified helicopter gunship, which then was somewhat restored by Wilde and Henry to resemble something like a lighter version of the XCOM Skyranger dropship. Right now it's in its 'factory default' colors, but in story that will change.

Finally, the last bit of artwork I had commissioned is one of the larger looming figures in the Free Brothers. Meet Tyrannous.

The Pilum, for quick reference, I always envisioned in my head as a sort of powered up Hind-D. And since Bandit was able to secure an intact model spare from PJH, Tyrannous adopted it as his Configuration alt-mode. The body frame and structure is specifically based off of Star Saber from Transformers Victory, just as Megatron is the inspiration for Galbinus himself.

I hope this tides you all over for now. Stay tuned, and I hope everyone's had a safe week!

Basarin · Nov 10, 2020

Targeting priority remains unchanged: take down the tank mobiles first, but use heavy weapons against the brute.
Ichiro should use rage at the same time as the Steeds use flares to distract the Brute, so that the Brute does not target Ichiro while rage is active
Anna's orders remain unchanged.
Ichiro to take down the Walkers and Tank Mobiles first, but save the Arm Cannon to use against "The Brute" when possible. Use Shard Kits at Ichiro's discretion.
Anna saves Call out to use against "The Brute", saves Linked Telemetry for whatever appears to be The Brute's strongest attack.
Steeds focus on lesser enemies (~~Walkers first, then~~ tank-mobiles). Use Flares when the reinforcing Tank mobiles use their disposable rocket launchers. Once Tank Mobile's Disposable Rockets are used up, use Flares on the Brute whenever it is not affected by Anna's Call out.

DFRI + Allies roll: 3+6!

Westphalian Forces roll: 2+3!

DFRI wins the initiative!

Valiant immediately springs into action! Strikes at Tank-Mobiles w/Blade!
Rolls: 3+2. Fails.
Notable applies! Rolls again: 4+5!
1 HP inflicted on Tank-Mobiles.

Ichiro follows suit (even as in narrative terms, the Brute is giving both him and Valiant its full attention).
Rolls: 3+6.
Inflicts 1+1 HP on Tank-Mobile! Follows up again due to Notable (he's more than a little tired of these things, and likely going to demand his ~~dad~~ commander gives him additional upgrades when he gets home).
Rolls: 3+5!
Inflicts another 1+1 HP. It's enough to scrap them - Tank-Mobiles taken down!

Steeds immediately start harassing the Brute (but keeping a safe distance - that thing is awfully stompy).
Rolls: 2, 6, 4! Two successes - but Scrap Armor triggers, negating damage!
Anna's Analysis: Estimates the scrap armor can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hits before wearing off for the Round...

The Brute: Oi, Bruce! It's Valiant - get 'em!
Rocket Klaw Away! Rolling at 2d6 (is still under Call Out until end of Round Seven).
Rolls: 4+6!

Hits! Valiant rolls for Agile.
Rolls: 6+6!
Erika: Not today either, Bruce!

The Brute follows up at Disadvantage (cannot go lower than 1d6 in this instance).
Rolls: 6!

Valiant rolls for Agile again (Diminishing Returns apply).
Rolls: 3+6!
No damage taken.

Valiant jumps onto the Brute to cut away at whatever looks important!
Rolls: 1+6!
Hits - cuts away the first layer of Scrap Armor! Notable applies so she continues to cut away!
Rolls: 3+3.
Anna: Seriously, Bruce, how many junkyards did you bloody bring with you this time?

Ichiro activates Rage! (Now deals and sustains double damage this round)
Arm Cannon!
Rolls: 3+2+6!
Inflicts 3 HP! The last layer of Scrap Armor has peeled away this round!
Arm Cannon was a Free Action - Ichiro Strikes!
Rolls: 5+6!
Inflicts 2+2 HP! Notable applies, Ichiro goes to town.
Rolls: 5+3!
Inflicts a further 2+2 HP!

The Steeds follow through.
Rolls: 2+6+6. 2 HP inflicted, chipping away further at the Brute!

Bruce: Right then, that's enough from you uni bastards. Ready the Flashlight!
Wallace: That's not its' name!
The Brute readies Super Heavy Weapons Strike: Prism Array! It is targeting Ichiro!
Rolls: 4+2+6+6!
Steeds launch Flares as a Defensive Action! (Cannot take Action for Round Nine). Forces Re-Roll!
New Rolls: 3+1+6+1!
Only one success, only manages a Glancing Blow! Ichiro suffers 2 4 HP due to Rage.

How well was the Brute's super weapon installed?
Rolls: 1.
Very poorly as it turns out. Prism Array overloads! The Brute suffers 2 HP! Prism Array is disabled for the rest of combat!

Erika: Patrick! Ack-Ack if you'd please!
Excellent Help allows Erika to instantly replace Shield with Flak Cannon! Fires at Brute while it's rearing from battle damage.
Rolls: 4+4+6!
Inflicts 1 HP! First layer of Scrap Armor peeled away this round!

Westphalia has suffered enough damage that it makes a judgment call. 1-4 it flees, 5=6 it will commit more to stay and fight...
Rolls: 2.
Wallace has pulled the plug on the operation. The Brute activates Ejection Pod!
The Brute frame self-destructs!

Earth Union Victory.

Post Battle scavenging to follow in narrative posts.

So this fight went a bit differently than I expected it to. I was honestly expecting the Brute to stick it out and fight, but you were all able to get rid of its support a bit faster than I thought (and I figured just throwing some in immediately would be a bit cheap). But much like capital ships without escorts, super heavies go down pretty quickly, and Ichiro with Rage + Arm Cannon can inflict a LOT of damage

Also, for reference: Yes, that was a Super Heavy Weapon. No, it wasn't well optimized by Westphalia. But they have the ideas for one now. I'll give you all a few guesses where they got the idea/equipment for it from.

Basarin · Nov 11, 2020

0900, 27 July A.D. 2072
Command Center

"They're fighting what?"

You are Major Johnathan Devin, and it was way too early to be dealing with nonsense this early in the morning. You had woken up not too long ago - thankfully, somehow, not to some alert threatening to shake the world to its foundations. Yet the moment you entered the office, Katarina had already diverted you to something that, while not pressing, was probably going to come up in conversation sometime later in the day.

"So let me get this straight," you said slowly as you settled down in the small conference table. Setting aside the caraffe, you began to tick a list off your fingers. "So to recap...Anna and Ichiro are investigating an entire battleship museum piece going missing, Westphalia's involved - because of course they are - and now they're fighting some walking junkyard and separatist brand Jackal-Lites?" You glance over at Sasaki - somehow your XO remained utterly impassive and nonchalant about it all, even in the face of something as ridiculous as this latest batch of news.

"That is correct," the younger captain agreed. "So far, reports are somewhat scattered due to the fact that combat is still ongoing. We felt it best to not intrude too deeply as a result."

"The latest is that Valiant is just about to arrive on site," Diana added. The AI's avatar hologram materialized at Sasaki's side. "The Westphalians look to be down most effectives, and unless they're willing to pitch more assets into the fight, between Ichiro, the Intelligence team and Valiant it's more a matter of time than firepower." Diana frowned slightly. "Barring any unpleasant surprises that thing - " An image of the super heavy walker materialized on the table's center, " - might still be hiding."

"But Ichiro was sent out without any combat upgrades." You wince slightly. "Make a note - we outfit him with what we can come up with from Engineering when they get back," you mention idly. "They'll be kept busy right after we finish outfitting the Perseus and dispatching the Beowulf for tracking down Bandit's crew..."

1807, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat - Valiant

Round Seven

"And this-" The blade swung through the air, slicing through the hastily aimed gunarm of one of the Separatists' new things they decided to bring to the historical memorial bash. "-is how-" Deflecting a few additional hastily aimed rounds - Erika always thought they should have something like red lasers, though the Union clearly never developed blue ones yet either, so it was a moot point - she willed the machine to simply smack the offending machine's 'head' with the broad end of the shield. "-you do!" Turning the machine to the right to avoid another aimed shot, the Valiant's pilot opted to use the machine's momentum to pivot into another swing, slicing off another of the Westphalian machine's legs off.

Erika grinned, her hands clenching and releasing at the dynamic control schema. Glancing to her left, the camera sensors showed the Union mech's wading into the melee with every sign of enthusiasm, its fists encased in some knuckle duster-like contraption as it repeatedly applied blunt force trauma to the Separatist machines. "About time the Defense Force stepped up their bloody game," she muttered to herself. She shrugged, even as she tugged at the left control lever to adjust the angle of her shield arm - better late than never, honestly. And they seem to have made up for it with some interest - if this, and the other Buckler-like machine she'd seen reports of from New York awhile back were any indication - at least they were making a damned effort. It'd be easier to feel bitter about it if they kept putting up halfhearted efforts, but with this-?

She was roused from her thoughts as one of the Separatist machines outright fell apart, with scraps of metal and wires scattering all across the shop as if they were New Years' confetti balloons. "Oh dear," she muttered, even as she nudged the pedals to step aside slightly - the 'head' unit of the unfortunate machine hit the ground roughly where she was just standing, bouncing unceremoniously in the dirt a few bounces later. "Oi!" she called out, "you missed-"

The green mech's cannon arm swung violently in a wide arc, outright slamming the final Separatist car-machine in the flank. The force of the swing was enough to cause the metal frame to buckle and bend before it simply slammed into the ground, sparks and smoke beginning to emit from the broken machine.

"-one," she finished.

"Thanks," the pilot replied. In a sort of weird effect, the machine had an actual face - and Erika clearly was imagining things, but it seemed as if its mouth was actually moving in a 1:1 to the pilot's voice. "You're the one who fights here - are these all new?" The voice also sounded like it was being placed through a mechanical filter - again, she must have been imagining it...

"The big one? No. The small ones like the poor bastard you smashed into pudding? Yes." Erika shook her head - she could ask him after the fight was over. "Might want to be careful about the loons inside the Brute over there. They-"

Immediately cutting her off, Erika instinctively pushed down hard on both foot pedals, causing the Valiant to jump from its current position. "-are stubborn bastards!" she added, and soon that was all the conversation she had left in her for the moment.

1811, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat - Ichiro

"Huh." Ichiro watched as the same rocket powered claw that had sent him on a trip earlier plowed straight towards Valiant - but for naught, as the nimble, smaller machine simply jumped out of the way. Not rocket powered or anything either - it simply leapt out of the claw's path, rolling along the ground until it slid back to its feet with all the grace of a dancer, albeit sized to a giant robot that was maybe almost the size of the Beowulf.

And yet as the claw fired again, the larger walker machine swinging it about like a giant rocket powered flail with wild abandon, the Valiant simply danced around it, at one point simply pivoting on one foot while ducking the claw and chainlink's swing before simply jumping aside. He had to remind himself that the pilot had been fighting these machines for quite awhile longer than he'd been online.

Of course he saved the footage - he knew Richard was going to want to compare notes later.

Round Eight

Valiant outright grabbed at the claw as it made its return trip to the walker itself, the pilot just as dexterous as it leapt atop of the walker and began slicing away at the various layers of scrap and plating hastily welded to its frame. With what sounded like a bestial roar, the machine shook violently, as if to try and shake off a pest that refused to let go. Some of Valiant's swings missed - but more than enough for an opening presented itself.

"Valiant." A subroutine began to run in Ichiro's processors. His HUD, once a serene purple, began to violently glow brighter - unbeknownst to him, his optics began to glow ever more brightly to match. "Stand clear," he said softly, even as his hands were slightly trembling, even as they clenched shut with enough force to possibly dig into the metal itself. "I'm about to do something stupid."

"What-?"

In a rush of motion, Ichiro had already configured into tank form, and was flooring it as fast as one of his mass and size could possibly go. As if realizing what he was about to do - which put Drake one step ahead of him admittedly - the Valiant immediately leapt off, just as Ichiro rushed towards the wreckage of the biggest group of the Tank-Mobiles he could find. This was not vindictive desecration, however.

They simply made for an excellent ramp.

One moment, Ichiro's memory logs could recall that he slammed into the mass of broken machines, feeling some of the second hand parts crunching beneath his weight, but with the majority of it holding - and the next he realized he was already mid air, configuring into mech form - and his cannon arm slammed into the almost broken apart layer of scrap armor Drake had cleared aside already. With a sickening crunch, the cannon's barrel broke apart the last layer of armor.

A more rational Ichiro Banner would realize that perhaps this was not exactly the wisest course of action. But one that was venting every little bit of frustration from this fight, and needing someone to blame violently for said frustrations?

Ichiro had a savage grin on his face as he fired.

1814, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat - The Brute

"Blimey-!"

The entire frame shook violently as an explosion rocked through the frame, slamming all three of the crew against their respective consoles. Sparks crackled from inside the cockpit as a great ball of fire and smoke spewed from the Brute's flank, the mighty war machine's steps unsteady and unsure as it attempted to regain its footing. "Bruce, shake this bastard off-!"

"I'm bloody trying!"

"Well try bloody harder-!" The machine shuddered again as the uni's machine ripped its fists into the already weakened frame. No, this crazy bastard was slamming his fists into the already on fire explosive sight, ripping even more of the internals out. The one camera sensor that was still active was flickering and full of static, but the sight of the rather on-fire cannon arm slamming itself repeatedly against the metal frame of the Brute punctuated with brightly glowing purple eyes of doom was one that painted a bad enough picture of what was going on. Bruce barely even noticed the additional rounds from the smaller motorcycles that were slamming against them - those were just details on top of everything else at this point-

"Got it!" Bruce called out, the pilot's controls working overtime as he pulled seemingly at random all sorts of levers and gears - but he knew how to control the Brute's every incarnation with more 'finesse' than any of them. "Bruce, klaw-!"

"Firing, Bruce!"

The Brute abruptly stomped hard on its good leg, forcing the maw-like cockpit and torso to shift to the right - and at just the right enough angle to fire the klaw at itself. Flinging the offending machine away, Bruce watched with satisfaction as the uni's green tank thing was thrown aside - but then watched with increasing incredulity when it saw it get to its feet, and charge right back at them. "Oi, Bruce, you sure that's a uni pilot?" he asked.

"Could be 'nother Bruce if it worked out differently," came the reply. "But think we need the Flashlight for this one."

"No sense bringing a middle finger super weapon if we don't fire the bloody thing," Bruce agreed. "Flashlight ready!"

As one, three fists slammed onto an ominous red button on each respective console. A high pitched alarm blared, steam hissed violently from somewhere in the cockpit, and red lights suffused the cramped space. The console on Bruce's console flashed once -

Bruce grinned. "Show this bastard what for, lads!" And as the maw of the Brute opened, revealing the weapon in question, a trio of cackling, gleeful laughter echoed and competed with the rest of the cacophony in the cockpit as a bright green light began to gather right in front of their camera sensors...

1817, 27 July A.D. 2072
Combat - Valiant

"Watch out-!" Erika's words came too late - or were just not quite listened to as the Brute's maw opened, revealing a brightly glowing green energy field - all before what looked like a solid pillar of green light plowed though the air. Vegetation that were too close in its wake abruptly shriveled up into flames, twigs and smaller trees abruptly burnt to blackened husks. It looked as if it were about to plow its way into the Union's-

Abruptly, bright flares, miniature suns in their own right, sparked violently next to the Brute's cockpit. Erika's own camera sensors immediately polarized, shielding her from the worst of it - but she had no doubt that the Bruces didn't fare quite so well. Abruptly the beam shifted down into the ground as opposed to a straight path, carving a furrow into the ground -

- and only slightly hitting the tank mech. Immediately what looked like an explosion rocked through the cannon arm of the mech, as if it realized just before impact it really should try and dodge. Erika tried to ignore what sounded like a roar of pain coming from the pilot's channel. "Patrick!" She snapped. "Ready the ack-ack!"

"Arriving shortly, madam," her longtime friend's voice assured her. But even as the beam clipped the Union's mech, the Brute's frame abruptly disappeared in what looked like another explosion, only this time the explosion was lit with pale blue fire and gas. She had no idea if the weapon was just unstable or not-

Round Nine

But she wasn't going to wait and let them try to bring something else out.

Without even consciously thinking about it, Erika detached the sword arm, letting it fall to the ground as the Dinym Currents simply ceased momentarily. It reactivated with a crackle of electric energy as the cannon arm flew straight towards the Valiant's frame, latching on immediately. "That's enough from you!" she snapped, the targeting array immediately overlapping the HUD. Depressing the trigger, the small frame of the Valiant shook as the cannon fired, smoke billowing from the backblast as the flak rounds impacted the Brute's already on-fire frame.

To their credit, the crew had been able to pivot the massive frame just enough to angle the hit against a layer of armor that hadn't been peeled away entirely. But It was flagging - maybe given enough time the Union's mech could get to his feet-

Abruptly the cockpit-torso of the Brute shuddered, before what looked as if entire limbs and parts of the frame simply detached themselves from the core. Additional explosions began to rock the rest of the frame's detachable limbs, before the core unit began to hover on rocket pods - then it immediately fired themselves again, plowing itself onto a parabolic arc.

Erika sighed. "Always with the getaways, Bruce," she muttered to herself. Those three had really built themselves into a nuisance, but there was never quite enough time to chase them down. Something to ask about another time then.

"Incoming transmission for you, madam," Patrick chimed in.

A moment later, the visage of the blonde woman from Intelligence overlaid itself onto her HUD. "Well. That happened," she said. "I'll need you to stick around for a debrief, you understand."

"Part of the service," Erika said with a shrug. "And so long as you're footing the bill for recovery."

"Sounds like a problem to kick upstairs," the agent replied cheerfully.

"Ow." Though it was audio only, the voice of the tank pilot groaned. "What hit me?"

"Part of the debrief, Ichiro," the agent replied. "C'mon, time for cleanup!"

"When my arm isn't on fire," the pilot shot back. Erika raised an eyebrow at that - this debrief was certainly going to be eventful...

EUDF VICTORY
Results to follow

Basarin · Nov 14, 2020

1913, 27 July A.D. 2072
MSS Support Vehicle 'Porter'

"At the risk of sounding just a touch hypocritical," the mildly reprimanding voice on the other end of the line huffed, "You bloody well charged off half-cocked before we had even finished discussions with the Defense Force. Again." The holographic image of Charles Mander glared at Patrick. Though he'd gone slightly paunch around the waist in his post-military years, the man still cut an imposing figure to anyone who might not have dealt with him before - if those eyes were any more piercing, Erika could have sworn they would fire lasers of raw disapproval. "Are you even trying to reign her in anymore, Patrick?" he demanded. "You're supposed to be the reasonable one!"

"You do me too much credit, sir," the elderly man replied. He had a small smile on his face, with a mischievous twinkle to his eye to match. Her longtime servant and friend had long since gone gray in the hair, but as he'd proven lately, he was more than capable of taking on anyone in a fistfight. Shame about the dirigible, though. "You honestly believe I can dissuade Lady Erika from a course of action when she's committed to it? You overstimate my persuasive abilities."

Erika just grinned cheekily from her seat in the support vehicle. "In all honesty, the Defense Force needed the support anyhow," she said with a dismissive wave. "And we've knocked out the Brute again, and Intelligence is footing the bill."

"Be that as it may, Valiant wasn't at full capacity," Mander pointed out. "That was the best time for it - and now it looks as if the wasp's nest was kicked over."

"Expecting more trouble, sir?" Patrick asked. The humor muted somewhat.

"Always am, I'm afraid," Mander sighed. "But the Brute wouldn't have been there without Wallace's oversight. And that bloody superweapon to top it all off." Setting aside his annoyance for the moment, he looked at Erika. "You're due to debrief with them shortly, yes?"

"After the gentlemen and ladies in the sharp suits finish carting off the prisoners and wreckage," Erika confirmed. "I'll see what I can glean off of them." She shook her head. "I've never seen anything like that damned thing. Granted, it doesn't surprise me they were suicidal enough to strap that thing onto their frame, but it went sideways for them even more quickly than usual."

"Find out what you can," Mander said. "I'm not squandering a favor from the experimental division of the Defense Force on just information like that, mind."

"How do you plan to cash that in, sir?" Patrick asked.

"Too soon to tell. But we'll need all the help we can get soon enough." Mander looked grim as he glanced at something outside of the projection. "Things are likely going to look worse before they get better..."

For Valiant's support at the last minute, Charles Mander will call upon the DFRI for a favor in the future.

1938, 27 July A.D. 2072
Shade Command Vehicle

"Ow!" Ichiro winced as another servo arm poked at something in his arm. "Watch it, Lana!"

"Oh, quit being such a baby!" the engineering AI snapped back. "You're lucky I'm streaming in here to help patch you up anyway!"

"Don't improve your bedside manner or anything, Lana," Jiro commented. The link was voice only, but Ichiro could already imagine that the new Engineering member was working on something in the background. Probably looking over the Seeker components or something, if he was any judge.

"Shut up, clown!" The servo arms from the internals of the Shade hissed as it began to weld something, and Ichiro just gritted his nonexistent teeth. "You're just damned lucky that your whole arm didn't explode when you pulled that stunt!" The wrecked remains of the cannon's barrel laid to the side, as if just to prove his sister's point - a good chunk of the barrel had outright melted from whatever had hit him, and fused it into an unsightly chunk. If Ichiro chose to configure at that point, he'd be nothing but a gun-less tank - not ideal for hiding. As it was, they were likely going to send him back to the Institute after this for a refit. Which was fine - this wasn't a fight anyone was expecting him to fight, much less even happen. It just showed he could use more than a few upgrades.

He'd probably keep the gun remains as a reminder, though. His first fight wasn't a smashing success, but with some practical experience now, he could figure out what else he could do to avoid this in the future. "Did we find anything?" Ichiro asked, choosing to focus on something other than his partially disassembled arm. Idly he felt a fresh component clank! its way inside, and a tiny portion of his HUD registered green as opposed to red.

"Oh, yes." Anna was frowning as she looked over something. The majority of the wreckage had been taken away, and the pilots were already in custody. Anna seemed surprised they hadn't tried to go out in a final blaze of glory somehow, but they had them, and Intelligence would do what Intelligence did in this situation. "I found what's left of the truck that hit you," she commented. With a swipe, the report materialized on Ichiro's HUD, revealing the image of an unholy mashup of circuitry, wires, and weaponry that looked oddly familiar. "Lana, Jiro, does any of this make sense to you?" she asked.

The servos stopped for a moment - thankfully when they weren't guts deep in his arm. "A bit hard to say," Jiro said. "I'm new here, but that looks kind of like the heavier stuff we use, isn't it?"

"Not exactly what we use," Lana said grimly. "That..." She paused, as if she were zooming in on something. "...well, crap. That's Kausen weaponry."

"Thought I recognized that," Ichiro growled. His own HUD zoomed in on an additional feature, while his own recordings of the superweapon going off overlaid itself to the side - and for the benefit of the debrief, uploaded itself into the report proper. "It almost looks like they took a couple of the weapons the Legion uses and welded them together into a bigger gun," he commented. "I'm no engineer, but now I'm not surprised it exploded on them..."

"Westphalia and the Free Brothers. Lovely." Anna just exhaled sharply, her thought processes not liking where this was going at all. "Guess it was only a matter of time before they started talking with each other."

"If they're trading guns, then what did they give to them?" Jiro pointedly asked.

"A question for another time," Anna muttered. She looked up as the Valiant's support vehicle began to pull up. And just like that, Anna's frustrated, annoyed look was wiped away to display the casual smirk she often showed to others. "And hello to you!" she called out cheerfully. "Glad to have you join us!"

"Sorry for the delay." Erika Drake hopped out from the passenger's side, and an older gentleman dressed in a sharp suit clambered down somewhat more slowly. "Our employer was a little annoyed we rushed off too quickly."

"Well, I sure as hell didn't mind," Ichiro said. From his seated position, he couldn't lean in too closely - not unless he wanted the repair tools to mess up something. "I appreciate the assist. Name's Ichiro - you'll have to show me how you do some of the stuff you did out there."

"I'd be happy to," Erika replied. "Why don't you hop out of there and we can talk?"

"...hop out of what?" Ichiro's optics dulled for a moment, his facsimile of a blink of confusion. "I'm right here."

"Well, yes, you're here, but you're still in there, aren't you? Hop on out."

"But I'm here."

Erika paused, then looked at Anna. "I'm missing something here aren't I?"

Anna's smirk was far more genuine, amusement crossing her face along with her smile. "So you're going to be sworn to secrecy," she said cheerfully. "But let's just say that there's a bit to the Kausen we keep under wraps."

"...pardon?"

Prism Array wreckage recovered - potentially Kausen in origin.

Tank-Mobile, Walker wreckage recovered for analysis.

Erika is confused - and the scene had been recorded for Institute leadership's amusement.

Basarin · Nov 22, 2020

So, this is the new system moving forward. As I continue to go back and make some quality of life improvements to previous posts (such as posting links to the order of side stories and whatnot to move more smoothly with the main posts), I'll continue to refine this moving forward.

Expect QM Note spam for this post.

1050, 2 July A.D. 2072
Command Center

It felt like forever ago that you were even here at the Command Center. Forever plus a few days if you consider how long it took to even have this part of the Institute constructed. And a few weeks added atop that if you factor in just how the entire facility changed from an abandoned university to the nerve center of kaiju and alien technologies with a hidden cache of pre-Unification software that developed sentience. When you put it like that, it has felt like decades since you started this, when in reality it's only been years. The miniature self-correction doesn't exactly make you feel better, but at least a little more grounded.

This is a good thing. Because your workload is on track to increase considerably.

"Alright." You look across the room, and to the brilliant - and more than a little eccentric - minds behind the organizational madhouse that is known as the Defense Force Research Institute. The round table with the holographic display embedded in the center of the room lets everyone face each other, while keeping you at the 'head' of the table at the far end opposite of the doubledoors leading to the rest of the grounds. Defense Force, Engineering, and Science are all gathered here, having created miracles already and called upon to do more.

SCIENCE

Said miracles, however, don't seem to include getting that strange chorus to stop. Just another strange law of the universe when Sam Carlson is involved, however tangentially, you suppose.

Defense Force

Captain Haruko Sasaki sits to your left, flanked by the holographic avatars of her 'lieutenants,' Diana and Adriana. From uncertain beginnings as a skeptical appointee, Sasaki has matured significantly as your executive officer, and she has proven more than worthy of your trust time and time again. From running administration over this particular herd of cats, all the way to commanding your Super Robots and supporting assets in battle against the Kausen and the Kaiju, Sasaki has proven she more than deserves her position. The only thing she lacks is time to do everything you both want her to do. While this is made up for somewhat with Diana and Adriana - the former is standing at ease, but is sporting a slight twitch to her eyebrow at how her younger sister is constantly jumping up and down excitedly - it soon may be time to start branching out for additional talent to help Sasaki.

"There are more than a few things that need your attention, Sir," Sasaki begins. "Pilot training and integration remain ongoing concerns, particularly in light of the Perseus co-pilot and its support team, along with Cadet Satsuma's bonding with the C-Crystal. I have some options in mind to get started on preparing them for deployment."

"Security's a done deal, boss man!" Adriana declared proudly, slamming a fist onto her shoulder for added emphasis. "Buuuuut there's always room for improvement! Just give the word and I'll get to work on it!"

"Additionally, there are hotspots all across the North American District that will require your attention," Diana cut in smoothly, her calm voice clashing with Adriana's unbridled enthusiasm. "The Beowulf is already standing ready to hunt down the Kaus known as 'Bandit' and force him to cease his operations along the west coast."

"There are also liaison opportunities with Colonel Kim of the First Response Corps and other elements of the Defense Force," Sasaki said. "Not to mention it may be wise to correspond with the MSS."

"Give me a light start, why don't you?" you grumble.

OOC: The Defense Force options focuses on a few key items:

- Pilot Training - Exactly as it sounds. There will be options to increase and/or refine the capabilities of your pilots.

- Super Robot Deployments - Also exactly as it sounds. Every so often there will be an opportunity that materializes, and your teams will have the opportunity to get involved. There will be a mini-turn after the main turn's decisions and rolls have completed, giving you a broader picture of what's going on - and if any Situations need to be prepared for the next turn.

- Defense Force Network Monitoring - More or less how you determine if something requires your Super Robots' attention or not. The Reaction Force will give you updates as to what is going on in your immediate area, but this will be elaborated on later.

- Liaisons with Defense Force officials/other Super Robot teams - Narratively, it's always a good idea to stay on friendly terms with your peers. And doing so may unlock new opportunities moving forward...

Haruko Sasaki
- If placed in Pilot Training, you may re-roll a failed roll.
- If placed in Liaison, gain 1d6 to your roll.
Diana
- Wherever she is slotted, reduce the Threshold by 1.
Adriana
- If placed in Reaction Force Monitoring, gain chance (at Disadvantage for 1d6) to uncover additional details, regardless of success or failure.

Reaction Force Monitoring
Free Action (does not Require Advisor)
Chance for Detection (Roll for Disadvantage at 1d6, Threshold Unknown)
Can Assign: Sasaki, Diana, Adriana, Katarina (Increase roll to 3d6, Threshold Unknown)
Notes: You are already tapped into the Defense Force Network, so you are always at least passively aware of what's going on in the wider Earth Union. If you leave well enough alone, you may have a chance of something crossing your desk and giving you the option to intervene. If you are actively looking, you are more likely to discover activities of enemy Action, unlocking new opportunities to investigate and pursue.

The results and new options, if any materialize, will be available for selection next turn.

[] Reaction Force: Passive Monitoring - Requires No Advisors
[] Reaction Force: Active Monitoring - (Which Advisor?)

Super Robot Deployments
Free Action (does not Require Advisor)
Requires available Super Robot and Pilot(s)
Requires available transportation (unless specified)
Notes: These will show the hotspots you have identified already that could warrant the attention of the Super Robot teams. These range in severity from something simple (for your teams) to handle, to something that is seen as more catastrophic requiring your attention (such as, say, a Kaiju stomping around downtown).

At the moment, you only have one option available. But it's one that's been hinted at for quite some time!

Richard Callaghan/Beowulf
~~SAI-01 Ichiro Banner~~
- LOCKED, Requires at least One Turn to recover
Tellison, Zhang/Perseus

Refer to this page beneath "Support Available to Deploy."

[] Highway Robbery! - Free Brothers
- [] Which Super Robot will you send?
- [] Which support will you send?
- Estimated two to three packs of Drones, other high-ranked Kaus
- Sasaki's notes: "We have had this operation planned for quite some time. From intelligence shared from Galbinus and Herald, Bandit holds a particular antipathy towards the Beowulf and Lieutenant Callaghan. In addition, we have been promised Legion support if we initiate this operation."
- Callaghan: "I wouldn't be surprised if he's been itching for another fight. He might do something stupid if I'm involved. Send me out, sir. I'd love to smash his face in again."
- Will result in transition to combat rounds
- Combat zone is close enough to DFRI HQ that Pegasus transport is not required.

Pilot Training
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Duration: Two Turns
Can Assign: Sasaki, Diana, Adriana, Katarina
Notes: Exactly as it sounds - whoever is overseeing this particular assignment will be making use of the Proving Grounds and any other particular blend of 'fun' they can come up with. The thresholds for success and the rewards will vary - these can include new abilities, refining existing ones, or an increase in Actions per Round or even team-up attacks for example. One Advisor is required - but you can then place in as many pilots/teams as you wish.

As for the threshold for each team and pilot, you won't quite know until you develop a baseline for them (i.e., putting them through the training initially). As a rule of thumb, new and inexperienced pilots are relatively easier to help improve, while the more experienced ones have somewhat diminishing returns. Experience roughly corresponds to Green, Inexperienced, Experienced, Veteran, Ace. The less experienced they are, the easier it is for them to learn and gain bonuses - but said bonuses will be quite modest. The higher in experience they are, the harder it is for old dogs to learn new tricks - but if they succeed, the results will speak for themselves.

A pilot or team can be pulled from training for combat - however, it will delay the duration by one turn.

Experience is gained from

[] Pilot Training: Richard Callaghan/Beowulf (Which Advisor?)
- Experienced, Threshold of 5-6
~~[] Pilot Training: SAI-01 Ichiro Banner~~
- LOCKED, Requires Recovery and Refit
[] Pilot Training: Jessica Satsuma/Valkyrie
- [] (Which Advisor?)
- Inexperienced, Threshold of 4-6
[] Pilot Training: Tellison, Zhang/Perseus
- [] (Which Advisor?)
- Inexperienced, Threshold of 4-6
[] Pilot Training: Charlie, Frankie, Iris
- [] (Which Advisor?)
- Green, Threshold of 3-6

Liaison Duties
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Notes: This mostly applies to other elements in the Defense Forces, the other Super Robot Teams and the Legion. Failing these rolls does not necessarily reflect worsening relations, but just mostly that whatever you were setting out to do didn't produce the results you were aiming for (such as cooperating to track down a particular target). Each Liaison also has their own agenda in particular, and depending on if you're successful in fostering cooperation with them, different targets of opportunities for the Super Robots will appear for follow on deployments.

Each Liaison will have a Baseline Threshold. In a vacuum, and if no other factors are in play, this is what you would require to succeed to cooperate with them. However, other factors (busy with their own agenda, recent events influencing positive or negative behavior towards you, etc) will modify the Threshold as well. For this turn, no other factors are in play just yet (with one well known exception). Expect that to change soon.

[] Liaison: General Li/GDF
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Neutral
- Baseline Threshold: Moderate (5-6)
- You're not exactly close with the Ground Defense Force general, but there is no doubt that General Li greatly appreciated being the first to field the Centurions. It could be worth your while to follow up and see how they're doing, or if there's anything else that needs doing.

[] Liaison: Colonel Kim/FRC
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Friendly
- Baseline Threshold: Simple (4-6)
- The Jackals have by now become ubiquitous across the North American District, and more are being seen being produced and fielded elsewhere. Colonel Kim's enthusiastic endorsement of the frames were partially responsible for that - it could be worthwhile to check in, and see if he's uncovered anything that you can use.

[] Liaison: Colonel Bernard/MEF
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Neutral
- Baseline Threshold: Moderate (5-6)
- Awkward first meetings over San Diego and the Falcon aside, you and the Marine Expeditionary Forces officer get on just fine. Ahead of his forces getting ready to field the production models of Seekers, it may be a good idea to check in with him.

[] Liaison: Dr. Yukimura/Yukimura Institute
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Friendly
- Baseline Threshold: Moderate (5-6)
- After showing that you are capable of fighting against the Kaiju, that has apparently increased Dr. Yukimura's opinion of you. But you're not entirely sure if he realizes that Jiro is working for you just yet...maybe that's something you need to clear up with him before any misunderstandings cascade into something catastrophic.

[] Liaison: Mander/MSS
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Neutral
- Baseline Threshold: Moderate (5-6)
- Note: You owe them a favor (Deployment #3)
- You owe Mander a favor. But aside from that and having met the pilot (with hilarious results, admittedly) you don't know much about MSS at all. Maybe it's time to meet, if at least to hash out how better to cooperate in future operations.

[] Liaison: Galbinus-R/Legio Galbinus
- [] Which Advisor?
- Relations: Warm, Allies
- Baseline Threshold: Simple (4-6)
- The DFRI and the Legion get on like a house on fire. After saving Cavalier, building the Enclave and helping them with Variable Configuration, you are as close as can be with Galbinus and his crew. Why not check in with your friends from the stars and see what else needs doing?

Engineering

Wilde and Henry sit at your right. The unlikely duo are the masterminds behind Variable Configuration, one of the core technologies that makes all of your Super Robot technologies even possible in the first place, and partially responsible for securing an alliance with the Legion. One is constantly smiling and fidgeting, a bottled tornado of energy given human form as he chuckles over some new idea that's popped into his head. The other sits as still as a rock, his beret at its usual angle and his face somehow giving a sense of exasperated disapproval of his officer even when his expression had not changed a single bit. They're professionals, however, and you know you'll be able to put their skills even further to the test.

Dr. Ignatov sits further to the duo's right. The grandfather-like computer scientist is serenely going over his notes, a look of tired contentedness on his face as he is surrounded by examples of his team's hard work spread across each team. The modern day father and pioneer of the Super AI project, they have long since fulfilled and surpassed his original goal of developing supercomputer processors for the Super Robot project. The AI assistants, Ichiro and the new trio of siblings - they are in many ways his children, and his job has now become to ensure their care just as much as compiling new ones to join the growing family of the DFRI.

Jiro and Lana finish up the roundup of the Engineering team, quietly bickering with one another over some design flaw or other. The third AI 'sister' of the Institute's grounds, and the nephew of the creator of Mercury V have somewhat settled into a pattern of disruptive arguments intermingled with bursts of productive energy. Uneasy as the dynamic is, these are the two current pioneers of the next generation of the Union's Super Robot designs, so one aught not to underestimate them.

"If you two could settle down?" Ignatov mildly chides Lana and Jiro, realizing the meeting has turned its focus to them. "Frankie, Charlie and Violet are settling in decently well, so I am free to turn over supervision of their development for fitting them into new chassis and training. We currently do not have much call for developing new AI personalities at this time with the possible exception of the Seeker frame, but the decision is yours, Major. We are ready to facilitate compiling of a new sibling, or assist in other endeavors in the Engineering department."

"One of our priorities is Ichiro," Lana chimes in. "He's taken more than a few scrapes fighting that thing in France. And, uh, he's been complaining about wanting an upgrade."

"I'm more than happy to pitch in on that," Jiro volunteers. "Still finding my footing here, but this should give me a better understanding of how your first gen systems work."

"You calling us old?" Lana demanded.

"No, you're just short. There's a dif-"

Henry coughs, cutting Jiro and Lana off before more of their bickering could be entered into any official minutes. "Speaking of Ichiro, we have the recovered wreckage and the weapon," he says. "I'm very interested to see what the Separatists have come up with."

"Thing had an explosive punch," Wilde agrees. "Kinda like they welded together a bunch of different guns together to make a mega gun."

"Is that your technical description?" you ask dryly.

"It is now, sir!" It's hard to ignore the cheeky grin on Wilde's face as he continues. "Sam and his crew also finished up recently on the Dragon sample and the K-Fang - all sorts of fun stuff we could try out with that too, maybe even give some of our older ideas another go. Your call, sir!"

"You all have a lot of moving parts to cover starting this month," you warn the Engineering team. If anything, the whole team seems cheered by the thought - such is the life at the cutting edge of new technologies, you suppose.

OOC: Engineering is both the same and a little different from before. Some notes to consider for you all:

- Engineering's short term focuses revolve around upgrades for the existing Super Robots. For example, Ichiro has just returned from combat somewhat battered, and he will need at least one turn of downtime to be back up to fighting trim. Once he's fully repaired, you can then look to give him some permanent upgrades.

- Practical Application of the new technologies you have researched remain a classic option. When the Science Department unlocks the secrets of a new technology, it still falls to Engineering to find a practical use for it (see: K-Scale). As always, this is a matter of time (turns) and successes (rolls). This covers prototyping new designs (or variations of existing ones) and effectively building the new Super Robots via this action, or new weapon or equipment designs.

- Super AI Development is still an option, but this usually remains a very long-term project (such as it was with the AI Sisters and Delphi). They are either base support Advisers, or Super Robot AI - either way, this results in a new character (hence the care taken in developing them).

- Item Construction is a new option for you all. In a vein similar to the one-shot Zirvitium knuckle dusters and the Shard Kit, you can dedicate a few turns to constructing a ready-made arsenal and toolkit set for your Super Robots deploying to battle.

- As always, the most recent list of everything you have researched thus far is referred to on this page.

Wilde and Henry
- If assigned to Practical Applications, gain 1d6 to rolls.
- If assigned to Construct Super Robot, reduce Duration by One Turn.
Lana
- If assigned to Refit Super Robot, roll 2d6 (Threshold of 5-6). On success, reduce the Duration by One Turn.
- Lana may offer a re-roll to any failed Engineering roll. Only applies once per turn.
Jiro Yukimura
- If assigned to Practical Applications (and Design Super Robot or Design Support), gain 1d6 per roll.
- Critical Success is now 4-6 (applicable depending on Success Threshold). Applies ONLY to Jiro's assigned Action.
Boris Ignatov
- Threshold for success on AI or Kaus Actions is reduced by One.

Refit Super Robot
Requires Advisor
Duration: One Turn minimum (more extensive upgrades may increase Duration)
Notes: Exactly as it sounds, this will provide upgrades from your existing technology and equipment to a given Super Robot. For 'minor' upgrades such as ZIrvitium Plating or Anti-Gravity Solution, this would only take one turn. However, fitting a Super Robot with more internal upgrades such as K-Circuits or outfitting it to enable the Psychic Theater will take longer. Refitting the unit for Combination would take even longer, and so forth.

Fitting a Super Robot with new weapons, unless specified, is generally a simple process that does not require extensive refits.

Note: You can choose to Upgrade a Super Robot even if it is currently undergoing repairs. The upgrades will finish alongside repair completion.

[] Refit Super Robot
- [] Which Super Robot?
- [] Which Upgrades?
- [] Which Advisor?

Practical Applications
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Duration: Varies (Two Turn Minimum)
Notes: Once a new design concept is fresh off of the researchers' plates, it is up to Engineering to figure out a practical way to manufacture something useful out of it. This also folds in the original 'Experimental' suite of actions, so I decided to fold these all into the same group. This can cover everything from designing and prototyping new Super Robot/Support designs, to new weapons with existing technologies (Dispersion, Zirvitium, etc.).

[] Design Super Robot Core Unit
- [] What is the Design Concept?
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
- Duration: Two Turns+

[] Construct Super Robot Support Unit(s)
- [] What is the Design Concept?
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
- Duration: Two Turns+

[] Design New Equipment (Weapon)
- [] What is the Design Concept?
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
- Duration: Two Turns+

[] Triple Combination
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In which chassis you want to attempt combining
- A project that Wilde and Henry attempted to explore in the past, the technological limitations at the time prevented them from making the Beowulf combine with both the V-33 and the Shepard support vehicles. Ever since he'd recovered from his hangover with the Seeker project, Jiro recently came across the topic with the eccentric engineers, and he's confident he could try giving it another go...
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 6)
- Duration: ~~Four~~ One Turn Remaining!

Equipment Fabrication
Requires Advisor
Duration: One to Two Turns (Varies)
Notes: This does not cover weapons or the solid heavy equipment. This specifically covers the one-shot use items such as Ichiro's Knuckle Dusters and the Shard Kit, useful items that the Super Robots may need to level the fight in their favor. These are relatively quick to fabricate, but it is always worthwhile to have a ready made stock.

[] Equipment Fabrication
- [] Which Item?
- [] Which Advisor?
- "If you ever need to know what you can order us to make, boss, just refer here. This is an ongoing thing, but depending on what else the crazies at the research department can come up with, we'll have more options available to us."

Super AI Development
Requires Advisor
Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Duration: Four Turns Minimum (Varies)
Notes: If you want to develop a new Base or Super Robot AI, this is the option to do so in. As you've witnessed before, developing an AI is not an easy or short process - you will need to have in mind what you want them to do before you start.

[] Base AI Development
- [] What do you want the Advisor to do?
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 6)
- Duration: Four Turns+

[] Super Robot AI Development
- [] What do you want the pilot to be?
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: Four Turns+

- Though Ignatov assures you that he and his team can oversee the development of new AI, he won't be able to give you more specifics on time and chances of success until some rough parameters and expectations are given. As you currently are well enough staffed in pilots and Base AI personalities, this is not a pressing matter at the moment. It's still good to know you have this available as an option though.

Enemy Wreckage Analysis
Requires Advisor
Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Duration: One Turn
Notes: The wreckage of the Beast has been recovered. There's not much left on the frame. The weapon, on the other hand...

[] Enemy Wreckage Analysis
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: One Turn

Science

The whole team can't fit into the conference room - but aside from Zulu's absence, you have the major players on mostly the opposite side of the table. Sam Carlson - the man 'exiled' from Unity Station into your care along with his equally insane crew of scientists and researchers - has an aura of suppressed energy similar to Wilde's. Broad shouldered and with a square jaw, one wouldn't think at first glance that he and his team are the ones responsible for beginning to pierce through the secrets of kaiju biotechnology and the beginnings of human psychic potential.

Next to him is his equally mad, and equally brilliant, friend and peer, Max. Unhinged in her own way, her original purpose of unlocking the Regent's secrets have given way to deciphering its gifts, as well as recreating much of the Kausen advanced technologies. Without her efforts, the Anti-Gravity chemical solutions and Zirvitium armor plating would have been an unimaginable pipedream.

Impatient to get on with things, Max's fingers drum in an inconsistent rhythm along the table, all while being fretted over by the researchers' own AI personality, Ivanna. Though she had been intended to be an assistant to the researchers, she has instead grown into more of a moderating influence, trying frantically to reign in the more destructive ideas behind the uneven brilliance that explode (sometimes literally) from the Department.

"As you know, chief, we've got a few ongoing projects already locked in," Sam began. "The new K-Fang project using bits and pieces of Sample One is still ongoing - it'll be a couple of months before I have something substantial enough for the Engineering boys to tinker around with." Nodding at Wilde and Henry, he continued, "That'll be awhile, but in the meantime Ivanna can help out or focus on another project."

"Oversight over the C-Crystal integration is still going on as well," Ivanna confirms. "I can focus more on that, but if you need me focused elsewhere, we can leave well enough alone for now I think."

You glance over at Max, who immediately jumps straight into the topic. "Before you ask, no - we don't have a spaceship yet," she said curtly. "But since the Engineers are focused on turning the Navy's supercarrier into some horrible new monstrosity, we might as well bolt on what we just learned onto it." You just sigh, knowing the headache that this is going to cause for the next two months. "And like Ivanna said, the C-Crystal and Cadet Satsuma I would like to observe some more to make sure there aren't any negative effects. And there's that last technology the Regent gave us, the 'Empathic Enhancer.'"

SCIENCE.

That said, not much has changed on these options. They are still broken down between specific new projects, and the broader categories of ESP Theory, Kaiju Biotechnology, Xeno Technology, and any remaining gifts of the Regent left on the docket.

SAM CARLSON
- If assigned to ESP Theory or Kaiju Biotechnology, reduce the Threshold for Success by 1.
Max Brand
- If assigned to Xeno Technology, you may add 1d6.
Ivanna
- You may re-roll any failed Science roll once per turn.
Zulu
- If assigned to Xeno Technology, you may add +2 to the value of the lowest rolled d6.

ESP Theory
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Duration: Varies
Notes: You've pushed ESP Theory pretty far, and Sam can be reliably marked as the top expert (and probably the only expert) in the field. The Man-Machine Interface, the Psychic Theater, and the initial forays into altering K-Class Materials - all are still viable options to pursue as well. Your options will vary, but write in what angle you want to pursue, and the rolls will tell what that develops into.

[] Refine Psychic Theater Principle
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: Two Turns
[] Explore K-Class Psychic Augmentation
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 6)
- "And those stuffed shirts thought nothing would ever come out of ESP Theory. Heh. Well who's laughing now? Me, that's who. And Callaghan. And the boss. And-look, everyone's laughing at the success, so let's do some more of it. The Psychic Theater's a done deal, but it's barely been tested by the first pilots - we can do some more tests while they're at it and see if there was something we missed. Meanwhile, using ESP to make minute changes to K-Class is also on the table - you're not exactly going to be making gold from lead, but we can take a K-Scaled fist and turn it into an even tougher K-Scaled fist. Progress!"

Kaiju Biotechnology
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Duration: Varies
Notes: Like ESP Theory, Kaiju Biotechnology (and the resulting K-Class Materials) form the bedrock of your 'super science' powering the Super Robots. You currently have a project that is already on-going, but you can reassign personnel this one time (as this is the first turn of the reboot).

[] K-Fang Development
- [] Which Advisor?
- Chance for Success (Roll 2d6+1d6 (Carryover from previous turns), Threshold of 4-6)
- Duration: Two Turns Remaining (Carryover from previous turns)
- "Sam Carlson here. Work is ongoing on what we're calling the K-Fang class of materials from Sample One. Initial work is promising, but right now the focus is on the one question that is guaranteed to solve our current problems: how do we make an even better stabbing implement out of it?"

[] K-Scale Refinement
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 4-6)
- Duration: Two Turns
- "Sam here! We've already got a fairly good grasp on K-Scale. Stands up to just about anything so far, even stands up to the best and/or worst the Kaiju can throw at it! We're not going to make any weapons out of it anytime soon, but there might be more ideas for armor we can pry out of the old Sample Zero before it starts grumbling about how things were done in its' day."

Xeno Technology
Requires Advisor
Chance for Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold Varies)
Notes: Xeno Technology is a catchall phrase describing all the technology coming from the Kausen and the Regent (C-Crystals are very much counting as Xeno Technology for the purposes of the system). You are only scratching the surface of what both fields have to offer, but Max and Zulu are there to unlock the rest of what these new fields hold.

[] Kausen Weaponry
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: Two Turns
- At the moment, the one sample you have of Kaus firepower is the much abused and disassembled Energy Blaster you nicked from Bandit (You imagine he's a bit salty about it still). It has already borne fruit via the Energy variant of the Heavy Weapons Kit, but what else could it offer for you?

[] Kausen Equipment
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: Two Turns
- Anti-Gravity. Zirvitium Alloys. The Dispersion Field. Shard Technology. These are all new revolutionary things for humanity, but are at best ho-hum for the Kausen (with exception to the Dispersion Field, which they regard as finnicky at best). You aren't going to outdo them in their own technological fields anytime soon, but Max is confident that you can put your own spin on the technologies and see if you can't surprise the Free Brothers. Preferrably with a punch to the face. Repeatedly.

[] Gifts of the Regent (Empathic Booster)
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
- Duration: Three Turns
- Physical power boosted / augmented by the power of emotions? That does sound like something straight out of a shonen anime or manga, but this is the world you live in at the moment. As it is one of the other pieces of technology you bargained with the Regent for, it may be worthwhile to investigate it further, and see if there's some way you can actually put this thing to good use.

[] C-Crystals
- [] Which Advisor?
- [] Write In what you want to pursue
- Chance for Success (roll at Disadvantage, 1d6, Threshold of 4-6)
- Duration: Two Turns
- The C-Crystal Generator is finished, and the "Master" crystal is safely ensconced in the deepest parts of the Command Center. You can leave well enough alone, but aside from Satsuma's integration wtih the C-Crystal, it may be worthwhile to conduct some additional tests, in case there's something the Regent didn't mention or if there were side effects even it wasn't aware of. Though you have been able to make the generator and it is now fabricating C-Crystals with no difficulties, there's still too much about it you do not know about it, even beyond the 'must be this heroic to use' clause.

Special Actions

The final adviser is Katarina. The very first AI that you discovered locked away in the supercomputer bay now known as "The Lair," she is the original form of code and data from which all Super AI have developed from. You're just thankful that she's a sweet, kind hearted and excitable personality rather than the worst old science fiction could have thrown at you. "Speaking of the supercarrier, Major, we also have the newcomers from the Marine Expeditionary Force arriving this month," she reminds you cheerfully. "You only need to make a decision on what they will be field testing on our behalf. In addition, you have a meeting with the officers from 'Ground Pound' this month as well regarding a power source for them."

And this is why you need as much help as you can get - you did promise to look into a potential power source for Major Jenkins. "Thanks, Katarina," you grumble as you reach for the coffee. Sweet, scalding, caffeine-laced coffee. "Anything else?"

"As always, I can assist in any of this month's projects!"

Coffee consumed, giant list for the month's agenda presented. "Alright," you exhale. "Let's get to it."

As before, you will occasionally get a project that does not quite fit into the three categories. But as a bonus, it also means that any Advisor category can take a shot at this.

In addition, Katarina retains her original bonus - she can help out anywhere.

Katarina
- Katarina can add 1d6 to any roll across all categories. Can only do this once per turn.

Super Carrier Sergey Gorshkov
Does NOT require an Advisor
Chance of Success (?) (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Duration: Two Turns Remaining
Notes: This is another carryover from the previous turns. This will carry on regardless of what you do - however, you may get a bonus for modifying your own drop ship further down the line if you invest more into it. Either way, hilarity is guarantee to ensue.

A Helping Hand - Ground Pound
Requires an Advisor
Chance of Success (Roll 2d6, Threshold of 6)
Duration: Three Turns
If Sam Carlson or Max Brand are assigned to this, add 2d6
You did promise Major Jenkins to look into a unique power source for her Super Robot Project. Her engineers are more than up to the task (explosively even), but it's all a moot point if there isn't anything that can power the damned thing. See if you can't reach out and see if there's another source of untapped super science out there. Better it's in the hands of the Defense Force than the Westphalians.

Though another independent Super Robot wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

This has taken me a week to put together. Far, far longer than I expected it to - my old design notes ran into logical problems that I had to think over and retype (I retyped this thing about three times). I probably still missed something, but I trust you all will let me know.

I expect there will be questions about this all. I'll try to get back to those by the end of day, but otherwise, I hope this makes more sense.

And cripes, I'm approaching 6k words on this update. Help. Send help.

Basarin · Nov 29, 2020

At the moment, I'm debating whether or not to switch these rolls bits to Apocrypha rather than Informational.

Also, the rolls post was delayed by virtue of the fact my cat chewed through my mouse wire. (This was, however, a fantastic excuse to upgrade)

Reaction Force Monitoring
Assigned: Adriana
Rolling 3d6 (Threshold Unknown): 2, 2, 2.

On the face of it, you don't learn anything new. You mostly are aware of various skirmishes taking place between the Westphalians and the EUGDF in the European District...
Adriana rolls 1d6: 6!
But the youngest sister find something particularly interesting about Westphalian movements. Opportunity available to pursue at beginning of next turn!

Pilot Training
Assigned: Diana
Duration: Two Turns

Training Program: Perseus (Tellison, Zhang).
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold of 3-6): 3, 4.

Training Program: Valkyrie (Satsuma)
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold of 3-6): 6, 4.

Training Program: Perseus (Trio)
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold of 2-6): 2, 6.

Training is underway, and results are good so far...increases or new abilities (if applicable) will be annotated at the end of next turn.

Liaison Duties
Assigned: Sasaki
Rolling 3d6 (Threshold of 5-6): 5, 3, 1.
The meeting goes well, and Mander drops some hints on what he might cash his favor in with (to be revealed in turn post).

Triple Combination
Assigned: Jiro, Wilde & Henry
Duration: One Turn Remaining
Rolling 3d6: 4, 4, 2.
Crit (thanks to Jiro's threshold)! Jiro has had a breakthrough, and Wilde and Henry already see how to make it happen...

Design New Equipment
Assigned: Ignatov
Duration: Two Turns
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold Unknown, testing feasibility): 4, 5.
Gun drones controlled by the power of the mind, and by extension the MMI? Boris Ignatov sees potential in this...

Also, good show to whoever fixed the punctuation.

K-Fang Development
Assigned: SAM CARLSON
Duration: Two Turns
Rollling 3d6 (Threshold of 4-6): 6, 2, 3.
"Sam here! We've accidentally drilled through the test dummies, through the wall, and almost through the food delivery truck. So results are good all around so far!"

K-Scale Refinement
Assigned: Ivanna
Duration: Two Turns
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold of 4-6): 6, 1.
"Designing an entire Super Robot core from K-Scale is...a little too close to the original Kaiju, I think. But if needed, I think it can be done. I just need to run a few more tests..."

Kausen Weaponry
Assigned: Zulu
Duration: Two Turns
Rolling 2d6 (Threshold of 5-6): ~~2+2, 4~~ Ivanna's re-roll takes place. 4, 6.
It seems as if you've picked everything about Bandit's rifle clean so far...Zulu, however, is convinced his former 'superior' had some extra tricks hiding inside. Thanks to Ivanna's insights, he's coming to a realization of just how modified the rifle was, and is now his primary focus for investigation.

Super Carrier Sergey Gorshkov
Assigned: Katarina
Duration: Two Turns
Rolling 3d6 (Threshold of 5-6): 4, 2, 4.
Nothing spectacular came of it...yet. Katarina is nevertheless going over the hull's new construction with a finetoothed comb for anything else that she might be able to sneak into the final design - or anything you might abe able to make use of.

A Helping Hand
Assigned: Max
Duration: Three Turns
Rolling 3d6 (I will rule that she is applying her expertise in Xeno Technology here, Threshold of 6): 5, 5, 6.
It turns out that Max not only came from an interesting circle of academics, she still keeps in touch with at least one of them! It's just a matter of getting in touch...

Basarin · Dec 5, 2020

Highway Robbery!

1300, 10 July, A.D. 2072
Visiting Officers' Barracks, Unity Station

"You don't think this is a little overkill, do you?"

Haruko could feel Major Devin's skepticism bleed through the feed. That Bandit and an undetermined amount of goons were wreaking havoc through the North American west coast, and needed to be stopped, was not something anyone was arguing against. Sending Lt. Callaghan and the Beowulf - a surefire method to draw the undivided attention of the vengeful Kaus Bandit - was also not for dispute, as everyone involved considered it a very good tactic to draw him out. He also absolutely needed backup.

But the Pegasus? And the Phalanxes of the Ninth Armored? And the First Experimental Wing's TMUs?

Haruko shrugged, flicking some hair out of the way of her face. "Better to have it all and not need them," she replied evenly. "The sisters should be more than enough help as they manage things from the bridge. And Callaghan has proven himself enough times." She was not there to lead the effort, as strange as that felt. The sisters were automating the Pegasus's functions, with a handful of human crew to make sure everything ran smoothly (that they were there also in case something cut the sisters' network access from the Pegasus went unsaid). Haruko was simply transiting through Unity Station, on her way to speak with the strange Charles Mander of MSS.

That she was still briefing about another operation a few timezones behind her was just another fact of life.

"Careful. That sounds dangerously close to approval."

"He's not here to hear it."

Both officers stared at each other for a moment, before they both broke and just snorted at the ludicrousness of it all. "Better overkill than not," Devin eventually agreed. "So long as they can at least force Bandit to run off and stop bothering this part of the District. If we can even take him down or take him captive, even better."

Haruko nodded. "Callaghan can likely ensure that he won't escape via the same method as the first time," she said. That the Engineers would love to get their hands on what was effectively a self-powered supersonic glider went without saying. She voiced that a little, adding, "Even after all of the exchanges with the Legion, there's so much about Mekaen's technologies we don't understand."

"Preaching to the choir," Devin grunted. "We're barely piecing together what the Regent has to offer on top of that. And Sam's still not convinced that Sheol could have come up with the Kaiju on his lonesome."

"And for all that we are the leaders of this cutting edge technology, we're only scratching the surface," Haruko muttered.

"As far as the world's concerned, we know exactly what we're doing," the Major pointed out. "Aside from Anna, I'm more than happy to let them keep thinking that. Less room for anyone else to butt in on things."

Haruko nodded. "We are an hour away from the drop point," she said, choosing to change the subject. "Lt. Callaghan and Ocular will be briefed soon."

"You may want to pass the word to add one more member to that," Major Devin said. At her raised eyebrow, her superior officer grinned. "I have it on good authority that Cavalier wants a rematch."

Haruko's grin was slight, but it matched the intensity. "I will inform them immediately. They would be more than happy to have him."

Combat Turn will resolve Highway Robbery!
Cavalier is available to support.

Defense Force Monitoring

"...the rise in Westphalian attacks is still being countered by the heroic efforts of the Defense Forces, spearheaded by the new Centurion frames-"

"-stocks have begun to increase District-wide, as for the first time in quite some time a period of peace and quiet has settled on-"

"-intensity of their efforts, as weapons manufacturers are submitting competing bids for the rights to produce the newest frames fielded by the Defense Force-"

"Bor-iiiiiing~" Adrianna 'sighed' as she flicked away stream after stream of reports. "Man! You'd think that sifting through seven different District government streams at the same time would produce something more exciting than this!"

"I would say that media productions tends to make life seem more exciting than it actually is," Ivanna's voice replied through the stream of data and consciousness. Her voice was at the same time right next to her and as if funneled through a great distance. Neither found it strange - such was life in the flow of constant information that was the DFRI's networks. "But we are super computer artificial intelligences, so perhaps our view on 'life' is somewhat skewed."

"Suppose so." Adrianna shrugged. A few of the data streams she'd pinned in place, remaining even through the multicolored stream of data that she was seeped into, were on the other Super Robot teams. "But there's just nothing going on! Mercury's not out, he's going through maintenance - no Kaiju right now, though, so no issue. Valiant is still going through some upgrades, but we just kicked Westphalia's butt like a week or so ago-"

"-nine days, five hours," Diana's voice distractedly commented.

"-whatever amount of time," Adrianna dismissed. "There's not even any black market shipments!" Adrianna paused. "...okay, I backtrack that statement. Hang on a second!"

"You got an idea over there?" Lana's voice sounded curious.

"Yep! Most black marketeers are pretty harmless, they're just trying to sneak some luxury goods around without paying licensing fees," Adrianna said. Abruptly about seventy percent of the streams she'd been paying attention to disappeared into the digital ether, replaced by satellite images of the world's oceans. "The Union's pretty good about catching anyone on the roads, and air travel you can't even try until you have a transponder that makes sure you can't just crash into someone else's flight path. That just leaves sea travel..." The images began to zoom in, just as various feeds of itineraries and plotted out courses from port authorities began to stream in. "But! What if someone wanted to take the literal slow boat? And what if they were desperate enough to do it to avoid being caught? Probably looking at something a bit stronger than a fine over illegally moving whiskey across districts, yeah?"

"Well that's just interesting." Lana's presence began to zoom in at certain portions of the ocean. A few additional pings began to highlight on the oceanographic maps. "Why is a deep sea research survey drone showing this much movement?" 'This much' was a relative term - the data was spread out across months.

"Almost like it's a submarine..." Diana's voice took on a questioning tone. "But the Defense Force was already phasing out military grade submarines even when Kaiju attacks made Unity Station deem them not worth having..."

Adrianna grinned. "Well! We've got a mystery to solve!"

Adrianna has identified a potential Westphalian avenue of approach. Option to pursue unlocked beginning next turn.

Pilot Training

To be continued in 'Call to Courage' Interlude
(Yes, it's going to happen)

Liaison

The visit with Mander actually goes quite well. Sasaki reports that Mander had been curious about the rumors of a Defense Force Super Robot, and that the footage he'd seen from the San Diego incident had given him 'possible reasons for potential optimism tempered with enough cynicism to sink a battleship.' But it was actually seeing Ichiro that made him more than a little happy - apparently, he'd been arguing for the Defense Force to do something to be more proactive about the threats they faced. Sure, Ichiro's first outing was a little rough (not that he was supposed to be fighting something like the Brute), but that you were in the business of making even more put some heart into him.

He hasn't forgotten the favor you owe him naturally. But when pressed on what he might cash it in for, he was surprisingly frank about it. "Unless you lot are willing to lend some of your boffins' exploits for Valiant, I may call your lads in for a particularly big scrap with Westphalia." Supposedly, MSS agents have been pursuing the 'hub' station for the European District. Finding it, and destroying it, would not put Westphalia out of action. But it would give them one hell of a black eye, as their ability to transport men, materiel, and even more of those giant robots they constantly field would be severely hampered, and give MSS and the Defense Force enough time to recover and start pursuing even more.

All in all, combined with last month's actions and the goodwill visit, Mander views the DFRI in a slightly more positive light.

New Options with MSS unlocked.
Relations remains at Neutral, leaning towards Friendly

Refit Super Robot

Lana rolled a 4 and a 5. Technically, Ichiro was already at one turn recovery, but you'll get something regardless. See below.

0849, 8 July, A.D. 2072
Engineering Bay

"That should do it," Lana's voice said distractedly. "At least for the worst of the damage."

"Thanks, Lana." Ichiro resisted the urge to stretch out his arm - he was still locked down while standing in the maintenance harness. All around him, various technicians were scurrying here and there, but at least they were no longer focusing on repairing the damage. Now, they were simply getting what he needed for his upgrades in place. "You worked a lot faster than I was thinking you were."

"Yeah, well, I needed to free up bandwidth to deal with this upcoming shindig with Callaghan and Bandit, and I have to deal with the clown probably drowning in graph paper," came the reply.

"Anyone tell you you have a terrible bedside manner?"

"I have all of the servo arms in the maintenance bay."

Ichiro conceded the point, and opted instead to watch as the technicians put away the Anti-Gravity Solution tanks. He always wondered if this meant he would be lighter or faster, but given that they hadn't let him out of the harness just yet, he wouldn't get to test that. Instead, he watched as what appeared to be a shiny, gleaming new arm cannon was slowly carted in by a converted truck. "Is that what Galbinus uses?" he asked.

"Oh heck no," Lana scoffed. "We've got no clue what that guy did with his weapon. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a customized job. This is the same thing that Callaghan uses though, at least as strong as the one shots he carried around with him last time."

"Good enough for me." Another thought crossed his mind. "Say, are the other still up for practicing on the Proving Grounds?"

"Uh huh. Why?"

Ichiro grinned. "When you're done putting on these upgrades, mind if I go join them? Gotta test these out, right?"

Ichiro's new statline will be as follows upon completion:

Centurion-chassis
Assigned to: SAI-01 Banner
HP: 16 + 6 (Anti-Gravity)

Heavy Weapons: Can mount the basic Heavy Weapons Pack by default. Equipping later models will incur additional post battle downtime of 1 Turn.
Arm Cannon: Has an arm cannon as part of his chassis. Can make a Heavy Weapon Strike as a free action at Advantage (3d6, Threshold of 5-6, damage depends on package) every three turns.
- Counts as Energy Heavy Blaster.
Strikes:
Counts as One Action (Notable Bonus may apply).
Roll 2d6, Threshold of 5-6, inflicts 1+1 HP on success.
Relentless: If about to take a mortal strike, roll 1d6. A 4-6 will negate that damage.
K-Scale Mesh:

You may attempt to reduce damage at a 2d6 roll (Threshold of 5-6).

Reduces damage by -1. Applies once per Combat Turn.

Upgrade Slots: 2 Used (Anti-Gravity Solution, K-Circuits, K-Scale)

Ichiro will help with Pilot Training until completion! More details in 'Call to Courage' interlude.

Triple Combination

"The problem you have is that it's three separate power sources," Jiro pointed out. "The Shepherd and the Beowulf is one thing, the V-33 as well. They can pair up with each other relatively alright. But even with all the processing power the MMI can push through, having three separate power sources meant for different things all out of synch like that?"

"We had the same problem when we were coming up with the Timberwolf to begin with," Sergeant Henry agreed. Lt. Wilde winced at the memory, but nodded in good humor. "This was back before we had any inkling of K-Class Materials, mind you."

"Compared to back then, Year One us would've accused us of hacking," Wilde laughed. "But...okay!" He clapped his hands together, his eyes bright with mirth and amusement behind his glasses. "Okay! I think I know where you're going with this, but lay it out for us. Walk us through it, I wanna hear your thought process on this one."

"Right." Jiro's desk was an utter mess of graph paper featuring equations and sketches. More than a few of Wilde and Henry's old notes could be seen as well, along with more than a few simulations running on Jiro's computer console. "So. It's like this. The V-33, the Shepherd, and the Beowulf. The only thing that's common to them all is that the Beowulf is combining with one or the other. But you have the issue of all that untapped power running at different speeds for different purposes, so it's all a waste, on top of the other issues."

Jiro then brought up his most recent brain wave on screen - a schematic-framed Beowulf as it was combining into the Timberwolf formation. "The Shepherd runs the majority of the power distribution load for the Timberwolf. For movement, for attacks, all of that. It's all you want it to do for the mass involved, and the Beowulf just focuses on pilot control and everything else. Same for the Foxhound. But if you combine all three together-" The image of the V-33 folding itself onto the back of the Timberwolf, and along the Beowulf's combine ports, held a large angry red X over it as error messages crossed the screen, "-there's just not enough anything to make them all work together. The Beowulf can't tell either one to get with the program, or tell it what the program even is."

Jiro held up one finger, as the schematic of the Beowulf - along with the Perseus, and the new frame Satsuma was about to use - appeared. "So the solution would be to slave the individual engines to the core unit. We call them Core units. Let's really make it that way." The proposed image of an improved and refined engine, along with additional powerlines that fed into the Shepherd and the V-33, appeared as the power output of both other frames began to radically change. "With K-Class, I'm pretty sure we could make something like this work." He looked expectantly at the two. "Thoughts?"

Wilde and Henry looked at each other. "Four, five month thing?" Wilde asked.

"Maybe more," Henry commented. "We'd have to think about standardizing the engines."

"You can't just have one engine for everything," Wilde replied. "It's gotta be more like a heart or brain, or-"

Wilde paused. Henry and Jiro stood shock still as well, both having come to the same thought as the other. "-or like the organ of a living body even," Jiro said slowly.

"...what if," Henry thought. Before he continued, he reached for the digital whiteboard, clearing away what was there before he began to sketch something out. "What if the answer is remaking the engines entirely?"

"'K-Engines?'" Wilde thought. "Build each one from the ground up with K-Scale Mesh?"

"Didn't Sam's notes say something about longterm exposure to energy sources doing something to them?" Jiro added.

...the discussion took some interesting turns from that point. August would prove to be an interesting time if leadership decided to go forward with it.

Jiro continues to prove his value to the team. Experimentation of new engine type and prototyped combining frames for Triple Combination unlocked!

Design New Equipment
(Fin Funnels!)

"Remote controlled drones?"

Boris nodded absentmindedly. "Setting aside the practicality of weight, propulsion, power source and firepower," he said, "I think it could be a feasible option. Each Super Robot has more than enough processing capabilities to handle the complex mechanics behind it."

"There are a few instances like it in Kausen history." Patch's voice sounded about as absentminded as Boris's, the two simply conversing as they pursued their own work. "Focused plasma arrays wielded as mobile blades. Emitters designed as crowd control to box in unruly mechs. Mostly experimental, nothing that truly caught mainstream appeal with Dominion leadership."

"I am certain this would only apply for Super Robot purposes as well," Boris agreed. The simulations from his latest equations displayed again - resulting in another negative result. This did nothing to dampen the scientist's mood - if anything, it lasted ten seconds longer than the previous effort. Progress! "The calculations of the MMI interface the pilots use are not the problem," he muttered to himself. "There is too much weight if I attempt to provide any amounts of armor, firepower, or propulsion...no. Surely it isn't that simple, is it?"

"You propose to delve more into this 'psychic phenomena' you speak of?" Patch's voice sounded a little dubious. "This is hardly an explored field of study, even for the Institute."

"You are correct in that regard," Boris sighed. "It can be done, but this first generation will require some...design compromises as it were. If it runs on purely psychic potential, it can have all the propulsion it wishes. It is the other fields that may prove to be a problem."

Ignatov has a few ideas, but there are limitations.
One turn remaining.

K-Fang Development

"Sam Carlson here! I'd just like to thank everyone for keeping their collective heads together when we accidentally drilled through the wall. And by drilling through the wall, I mean through the test dummies, through the coffee vat (ours, not the Major's), through the wall, and through the delivery truck that was on its way to us!"

"That said, it was an ice cream delivery truck, and it was a fantastic time to take a break. The driver was a pretty good sport about it all things considered, and his name will forever be tangentially mentioned as a footnote in the unceasing, unstoppable march to scientific development!"

"So what do we know so far? First of all, our hypothesis is on the money: if we design it for melee-ranged destruction, Sample One is all about it. Spears, bladed edges, even drills. Especially drills - by the way, we owe the transporters a new truck. But on an interesting note, K-Fang is forming into usable components differently than K-Scale. It actually will take to hollow molds, almost like we're trying to make like a blacksmith, and it'll be nice and solid when we're done with it. But there's still enough about it that we don't know about - it plays vaguely by the same rules as K-Scale, but it's also running its own deck on the side. More to follow!"

"Sam Carlson, we're done here."

One turn remaining.

K-Scale Refinement

Ivanna's Logs:

"An interesting proposal for K-Scale has arrived from the Engineering department. Mr. Yukimura has inquired as to the possibility of creating entire internal components with K-Scale weave, which theoretically would allow for even greater tolerances and output from the proposed engine design."

"As dubious as I am about creating an entire Super Robot from K-Scale, this suggestion has given me enough cause to rethink the issue. I do still feel this comes a little too close to the wretched designs that are sent by Dr. Sheol - too close to the living, breathing, hateful Kaiju who seem to do nothing but make life miserable for the surface as a whole. That said, I do think that it can be done - but a sufficient method of control by those who will not abuse the amount of power it could bring would be required."

"The C-Crystal would be the likeliest candidate, but that would be pending more investigation of those artifacts. But given Mr. Yukimura's requests, I should be able to run some tests..."

One turn remaining.

Kausen Weaponry

You had honestly forgotten about Bandit's rifle entirely after the initial incident at the Dam awhile ago. The teams had dissected enough of it to figure out the energy blast mechanism principles, ported it over to the Super Robots in a form they could use it with, and then promptly forgot about it.

But Zulu has an entirely different view of it. Despite some difficulties (smoothened out somewhat by Ivanna's support), he knows for a fact that Bandit included a few after-market modifications. Things such as blast adjustment, long range and more (to say nothing of the less pleasant methods that all Free Brothers seemed to revel in, such as heated scalpels that could form an impromptu bayonet when they weren't simply tormenting Drones that couldn't fight back). The issue? Bandit included locks specifically for those attempting to meddle in the modifications. (That he didn't include some kind of master lock for simply firing the damned thing is something of a head scratcher)

Zulu, however, is nothing if not patient. He promises he will have something the Super Robots could potentially use by next month. Or cycle. You're still coming to grips with Kausen timekeeping terminology.

One turn remaining.

Super Carrier

Katarina, for her part, has reported that the 'super carrier' (the new ongoing term in the DFRI) is almost ready. She almost sounds disappointed - of all the refinements and improvements, she was hoping that making a space capable dropship on such a scale would provide some new insights. So far, it hasn't - it simply has been, 'take giant aircraft carrier, reinforce it with K-Class and Kausen energy blasts, and scale up and up and up.' Nothing revolutionary - but it's not the end of the world.

After all, Katarina pointed out cheerfully, 'There's always the launch ceremony to see what could happen!'

One turn remaining!

Helping Hand

"...so what you're saying," you say slowly to Max, "is that there's more mad scientists out there who have mundane jobs that haven't been tapped to revolutionize science in some way shape or form, and you keep in touch with them?"

"We prefer the term 'visionaries,' thank you very much," Max replies primly. You just rub the temples on your forehead in frustration. Neglected scientists like this, you have no doubt, led to Sheol's war on humanity in general. God only knows what would have happened if Sam went off the deep end. It's enough that you're almost tempted to sneak some whiskey into the coffee supply. "But yes! I do keep in touch with quite a few." She frowned, tapping a finger to her chin. "That said, I haven't heard back from them in awhile, so I'm unsure as to who is still available right now. Or if they're still even active in academics. I've been busy with this project, after all."

"Fair point," you concede. "How soon can you get in touch?"

"Give me a month," Max replies. "I'll let you know who's interested, and who's most likely to want to sign on to a Defense Force project." She shoots you an aside glance. "Quite a few of them have been burnt by Defense Force projects, mind, so you may need to convince them."

Oh. Great.

Options will be presented at end of next turn. Two turns remaining.

Super Robot Quest

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