We Stand Against the Stars (Gundam/Macross)

[EternalStruggle]

Wait, crap...

Oh boy...

Sound the alarms, I feel it coming...

OMAKE INSPIRATION TIME!

_____________________________________________

For the office of perhaps the second most powerful man in the Earth Federation, the room was surprisingly austere. Large, especially for a room deep underground where space was at a premium, and pleasant, especially compared to many of the armoured bunkers surrounding it. Yet still, it was clearly not ornate. Several pictures hung on the walls, including a large map of the Earth underneath the symbol of the EFSF and a Federation flag, while the furniture was of a fine wooden make, and included a full bookshelf. The room was also painted brightly, but that was the extent of its comforts aside from a tablet computer sitting on the desk at its centre.

Gopp entered the room with a set of papers under his arm and a smile on his face as he looked down on the sole other occupant of the office. "Revil." He jovially said, closing the door behind him and taking a seat almost casually.

"General Gopp." His opposite number and superior officer was all business, as per usual. It was a familiar song and dance. "I see you have the reports. Let's resolve this quick. The... Prime Minister wants this done as a priority."

"No need to sound so hostile about him." Muttered Gopp as he shuffled out the papers before him. Lists of countless Mobile Suit teams deployed across the Earth Sphere, each marked with their size and performance records. "Enrico's an idealist, like you. I'd have thought you'd get along better."

"We'll get along fine as long as he knows his limits." Revil smoothly replied. "I don't serve him, I serve the Federation, its offices and ideals. What did he call his purge? The 'Day of Short Blades'? I know my history, and I'm sure he does as well. Inverted phrasing or not, I can't say I appreciate the reference."

Gopp simply shrugged. "You're overreacting, really. He's doing good, we should be happy about it." He gazes over his lists as Revil takes one of the sheets to read himself.

"I'm glad about what he's done so far, yes, but I won't stop being vigilant. I will not allow anyone to turn us into another Zeon." He sighs and shakes his head before putting the sheet to one side, finding it lacking.

"Suit yourself. Hmm, what about the 1st Experimental? It's a safe posting, after all, but quite prestigious."

Revil shook his head. "I may not understand these aliens, but I do know that she asked for a combat position, not just a military one. She won't be seeing much fighting in California. That disqualifies working with our agent Mackenzie as well."

"The 08th, then? They're active combatants in the Side 2 region, have a good simulated combat record, and seem like they could use the reinforcements."

"Perhaps. The 01st through 09th are all three MS units, however. I'd prefer putting her in a squadron, safety in numbers. We'll keep them in mind."

Gopp frowned for a moment before lighting up. "Ah! Then we could send her to the Agamemnon. It's a prime posting with plenty of comrades. Practically perfect."

Revil sighed yet again, expression growing dark. "That has its own issues. We're going to find it difficult enough to keep her under wraps as it is, and that will simply get exponentially more difficult if we put her right at the centre of the entire Space Force."

Gopp threw up his hands in defeat. "Well, we could send her to Zeon then. I hear Ramba Ral's unit has never lost a Mobile Suit, even in simulations, and it's as much a family as a fighting force, so we would be making a good impression on her." Revil snorted in a mixture of amusement and disgust.

"If they value the same things as us. Even so, while you may have a point you'll have to send her to the Principality over my dead body." He paused in the middle of looking over a third sheet. "But what do we have here? The Reorganised 118th Space Fighter Wing. Five other pilots, some of our very best."

Gopp nodded slowly in recognition. "Yes, didn't they shoot down that Zeon ace during the war games? They held up well against other elite enemies too. They're a first rate squadron."

"And assigned to Task Force Radiance. Hmm. Yes, they'll do nicely. Send out the orders at once. We'll have to hope they live up to expectations." Revil steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair.

Gopp simply gathered up his documents and nodded. "Admiral."

"General." Revil simply replied, fixing his gaze on his fellow as Gopp left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

 

[Adventwolf]

Resources and Funding Request for the development of enhanced coating materials.

To the Director of Defensive Development Dr. Henry Gates:

Sir,

While the alien ship that landed at Macross is the primary focus of the Federation's efforts my team and I have been forced to make do with the bare minimum of support. If this continues I fear it will be months if not years before we can make a working product.

With both the information gained from the ship and that alien we now have a better idea of the possible threats heading our way. The new weapons and the miniaturization of the mega-beam cannons into mobile suit scale weaponry have made most of the armor currently in use much less effective.

Luckily the discovery and development of Energy Conversion Armor have negated that loss quite a bit. But that armor requires power to maintain its effectiveness. What my team has been working on is a way the reduce the strain on both regular and EC armor for both our ships and Mobile weapons.

The product is a further refinement of the clear-coating already used on our warships that make lasers all but useless in space combat. With the advent of newer more powerful weapons using both M-particles and the alien beam technology, we have begun the development of an anti-beam/energy coating.

Early tests are promising, but without further funding and support, we can not take our research beyond small scale testing. The new coating is showing the possibility to render the effects and damage of beam and energy null. While that might seem impossible the combination of new materials, chemicals gained from the medical databases, and the refinement of the generators have given us much data on how to contain and resist the damage.

Unfortunately, all of our current tests show that the coating only works once as it dissipates after the impact. While that alone makes our ships much more durable in the opening volley of a battle, it does not add the staying power needed to survive a protracted battle. We believe with further funding we can improve this to be able to take multiple hits before the coating is entirely dissipated.

If it is combined with an EC enhanced hull and an I-Field that would make our warships incredibly challenging to destroy, the coating can also be applied to the armor of our Moblie Weapons and any other hardware we expect to face possible beam and energy weapons. For MS we can use the coating directly to the MS and several extra layers to a shield to increase the defensive rating of the MS.

The next coating we are working on development is meant exclusively for MS use. It is a magnetic coating that if our early results are to believed can reinforce and enhance the motivators in the limbs of our MS. This would allow for much faster reactions and strengthening to reduce overextensions and stress on the MS. The boosted agility would give our pilots an edge in 3D maneuvering fights.

Attached are all of the data and results we have gathered so far. I hope you find these satisfactory and that you agree to the increase in budget and support.

V/r
Dr. Dallan Wolfgang

@manofjay Here is an omake about a scientist and engineer trying to get the anti-beam coating and magnetic coating funded. It is set up as a report to one of the RnD Directors.

 

[random_npc]

QCX-76A Jormungand
technical analysis.​

The super-heavy artillery pice Jormungand, is a concerning piece of technology. Using a novel form of beam compression, it is able to create semi-solid compressed "shells" of superheated plasma. The shells once formed are accelerated via complex electromagnetic manipulation to approximately 2000kms. Cohesion is maintained via an undisclosed Minovsky effect and is lost 0.9-1.0 seconds after firing. While devastatingly potent, the weapon is not able to power the firing process and must rely on a limited number of supercapacitors, giving it a limited number of shots per engagement. The weapon is capable of recharging the capacitors over the course of days, however, the capacitors are each rated for no more than two discharge cycles. The power of the shells cannot be overstated. the shells maintain an energy density normally seen in the fireball of strategic warheads. No known, or even theoretical battleship or fortress design would be capable of withstanding a direct hit. Furthermore, the sheer power of the round provides a notable degree of resistance to Minovsky deflection. Once containment fails, the shell loses cohesion and becomes a rapidly expanding cloud of plasma. Rough estimates put the kill radius for mobile suite and similar units are approximately 0.2 km of this event, and units within twice that range may suffer damage to sensors.

the weapon, however, suffers from a number of crippling weaknesses. The foremost is the effect of Minovsky particles. While resistant to their effects, they still cause course drift. analysis puts the maximum effective range of the weapon between 250 KM and 400 KM before it losses the accuracy needed to strike a ship sized target. While this is well beyond typical engagement ranges, it is not so far out of range that the cannon is truly out of danger. Being comfortably within striking range of MS teams. This is compounded by its immobility. while the weapon can be towed into place, maneuvering at combat speeds is infesable with this iteration of the design. As such it will require careful positioning and a dedicated screening force. Even should this be achieved, and the weapon protected throughout the battle, it's unclear if it will be able to destroy sufficient targets to justify the significant logistical, strategic, and financial strain of its deployment. Reliance on forwarding observer further compounds all issues, as maintaining a target feed in a chaotic battle is unreliable.

against mobile assets the cannon is gross overkill, however against fortified targets it remains effective. While getting it into range of a target that maintains a passive Minovsky particle shield such as military installations would be difficult, the weapon is suspiciously well suited to striking installations that do not, such as sides* Space born industrial targets. While it is, of course, a simple thought exercise** we have run the numbers for the effect of a strike on earth. Simulations show that the shell would induce small scale fusion events in the atmosphere, causing the shell to detonate harmlessly in the upper atmosphere.

While the QCX-76A is of limited use against humans, its design specs are eerily perfect for dealing with Zentradi. While we have only a limited understanding of what a typical Zentradi vessel looks like, we have a few solid facts. First that they are massive, well beyond even the largest ship fielded by humanity, second that they are likely immensely durable even for their size, and finally that they do not employ Minovsky particles. the pointless level of overkill against human targets instead is likely the needed amount of punch, and the lack of Minovsky particle means the weapon can engage at its maximum range, and that providing targeting data is far simpler. Some in my department has observed that this is a somewhat suspicious coincidence.*** But it is unlikely our new allies would hide such a thing from us.****

While we have not yet been given the full blueprints, we already have some four possible ideas to improve it using reverse-engineered technology. The most obvious is, of course, using advances in rail gun technology to increase muzzle velocity, and therefore range. Another is the application of improved generators to possibly allow the weapon to fire without having to rely on expensive and limited use supercapacitors. The third is using a modified form of Energy Conversion Armor to allow the rapid cooling of the weapon, increasing its rate of fire. The final is an application of our new computers. in theory, it would be possible to tune the containment to fail at any given point along its flight path. This would enable the weapon to be used as a form of wide-area flack or to blind sensors. Designs for Minovsky particle "bunkers" that create a field no more than 60km already exist and could be repurposed to enable an emplaced Jormungand to fire while under the protection of a Minovsky field. In theory, that should prevent notable degrees of deflection, even at the weapons primary range while deflecting most return fire.

While the weapon may be utterly unsuited for the threat environment it was built for, it seems it may have a place in the wars to come. at present, this is the only sub strategic human weapon in sol believed to be able to reliably threaten Zentradi vessels. Furthermore, the role of heavy bombardment in Zentradi fleets does not seem to be filled by plasma weapons, increasing the odds that they will not have a counter for such an attack. It is our office's recommendation that a joint development for the next generation of the QCX-76A may be worthwhile if it proves politically viable*****. At present, we suggest sides maintain a Minovsky particle shield until the weapon is recovered or destroyed, and suggest making doing so a priority.

*Do not put that kind of accusation in writing.
** Drop the sarcasm.
*** Not your department. drop it.
**** I swear to god, if I have to convince an inquiry bord your tone was worth a court marshal I will.
***** probably not in the cards, Zeron is not going to give up that kind of tech edge unless we get our hands on the gun somehow.

I thought too hard about the Jormungand and an omake popped out. @manofjay

 

[chriswriter90]

The Strike Fighter Omake

Earthsphere News Network

Stunning upset as startup Zero-Wolf trounces Harvick in Strike Craft competition. Harvick was responsible for the vast majority of Earth Federation combat aircraft and was the favorite to win the competition to replace their own aging Saberfish. Their Scandinavian branch Vehrec spearheaded the effort producing no less than five prototypes in four weight categories. Even when the Multi-Strike-Craft Program was canceled in favor of the All Purpose Strike Craft Program, Harvick/Vehrec were confident that at least one of their designs would make the cut.

Competing against Harvick were the startups Void-Zero based in Side-1's Shangri-La colony and Wolfstrum based in Side-6's Libot Colony; both were formed by former members of the Federation's Harvick and Zeon's MIP companies respectively. During the competition it was discovered that the design requirements for Zero's Space Heavy 2 and Wolf's Resolute were nearly identical, this lead to cooperation and eventually a corporate merger into Zero-Wolf.

In a shocking turn of events not a single one of Harvick's prototypes made it to the second stage of testing, the top three contenders were all prototypes by Zero-Wolf; Real Space, Space Heavy 1, and Resolute. All three shared the same basic components as Real Space; an internal weapons bay, a miniaturized inertial dampening system, and at least one engine with Zero-Wolf's latest model afterburner. Space Heavy 1 and Resolute simply added onto Real Space, with Resolute including a pair of cannons and Space Heavy 1 including a single cannon and second engine w/afterburner.

When the tests were concluded the Earth Federation's top brass were convinced, 7/9 in favor of Space Heavy 1. "The engines were the key" said Admiral Fisher of the EFSF, "Without ECA speed is armor, and Space Heavy 1 had the greatest acceleration in space and the highest top speed in-atmophere" Admiral Fisher was one of the key voices in the debate that saw the Nova enter the EFSF instead of a new battleship. At the end of the competition Space Heavy 1 was rechristened the Resolute, "We liked the name too much to get rid of it" said a spokesman from Zero-Wolf.

Still, the saga hasn't appeared to have finished yet. Zero-Wolf doesn't yet have the industrial capacity to fulfill the Federation's need for new airframes as well as their orders from the rest of the Colonies, this has lead to the Federation granting them a massive grant to greatly expand their factories in Shangri-La & Libot and to open a new factory on Earth. In the mean time Harvick has been granted a license to produce the Resolute until such time as Zero-Wolf's new factories come online, a sorely needed boost with Harvick seeing record losses this year in the face of the Federation's adoption of mobile suits and abandonment of Harvick's Saberfish.

 

[Adventwolf]

Stuart's Team and Allies

Joanna Stuart was finally finished with the first stage of the Alien Ship Research. Now began the process of rebuilding the huge ship to further explore the underlining technology. Something that as the Chief Engineer would fall under Joanna's purview. She has become one of if not the leading experts on the Alien Overtech at least when it comes to application. She has acquired a group of colleagues to help her push the Technology of Humanity as far as possible.

Doctor Dallan Wolfgang from the V-Project MS development program with his structural and defensive materials. After finally receiving the funding needed to advance his coating project by merging it into the V-Project he made great progress. Not only has he been able to increase his anti-energy coating to the point where a single layer can nullify several hits from a beam or alien energy weapon but his magnetic coating is looking at increasing the reaction and endurance of MS by at least 20%. He is also working with the material science department to try and improve the normal titanium ceramic armor that all non-elite MS come equipped with. He is working to bring cost and weight down in order to increase the armor that can be worn by most MS. There is also a proposal for trying to do the same for Lunar Titanium but until Von Braun is brought in no real progress is being made. If the former project bares fruit though that will make several construction projects and shipbuilding advancements possible.

Doctor Colin Hurton an engineer as well as one of the lead designers of the Nova Class Battlecruiser. He is working closely with both Admiral Fisher and General Revil to bring the EFSF up to a standard that they have a chance against an alien attack. He is a part of the Naval Review Board and has worked on getting as much technology added to the older vessels through the refit program as is viable. It was also on his projections of what the alien forces would possibly send and the size of their ships that lead to the increase in the size of Federation Warships. His main goal is to have a fleet ten times the current size made up of modern warships and built to exploit every advantage that can be found. He provides access to the higher levels of the EFF to provide funding and continuing technological advancement.

Silvana Sinclair is the leader of the Zeon research team sent to study the alien ship. A brilliant researcher she was the one that managed to decipher the alien medical system. Working with Doctor Jackson she was able to work out the Alien computers as well. As the one working closest with the Federation, she has earned the respect of many of the researchers and engineers. She has also learned to respect and admire the Federation's own people. She made friends with some of the others working on the ship as well. Among them was Chief Engineer Stuart who made quick confidantes of each other. She has promised to speak with her own superiors and push for continued cooperation between Zeon and the Federation. Seeing that as the only way to increase the rate of advancement that is needed for survival.

One of the other engineers Doctor Edgar Rivera is a member of the Federation Major Works Project. One of the leading voices that pushed through the complete revamp of Earth's infrastructure and industrial production. The technology that has been gained from the alien ship has found several important applications for civilian sectors due to his efforts. He has worked closely with several of the other researchers and engineers to find ways the technology can improve the quality of life for as many people as possible. As well as starting the process for the large scale communications arrays in the works and the two super projects on Earth for the Space Elevator and anti-space defensive systems Doctor Rivera pushed hard for sending aid to the people of the Jupiter Sphere. He did this mostly out of Altruistic believes since his main goal is the betterment of all Humanity.

One of the newest members of the group is Doctor Ernesto Rodriguez. Mosty concerned about improving the offensive potential of Humanity he has focused on weapons technology. He worked to examine and replicate the weapons found on the alien MS and used that experience to finally miniaturize the Beam cannons used on warships into MS scale weapons. He was also involved with the team that improved the ballistic weapons that are still a major component of Federation and Zeon forces. While his assistance in the development of the railgun technology that is now seeing wider use and refinement made him the obvious choice to examine and create an updated version of the TZ weapon captured by Task Force Radiant. Doctor Rodriguez spent quite a while refining and updating the truly crude cannon into something that while limited in movement can still be used to destroy any vessel that Humanity could think about building in the current Era. The Fenrir cannons have the potential to even the odds for humanity while on the defensive. It is wholly unsuitable for offensive operations but a defense in depth with multiple Fenrirs being used could destroy a large number of Alien ships.

A former colleague and member of the Zeon team, but still a friend of the group. Now a member of the private sector Doctor Ali Aurora took a position with the new aerospace company Zero-Wolf. It was his involvement that leads to the development of the Resolute class fighter for the EFF. Having worked on Zeon's own MS projects Doctor Aurora knew what was needed to give the new fighter a chance but with what he learned from the Alien ship he also knew he had to prepare it for combat with possible alien forces as well. Because of that, the development of the high-speed frame was pushed in order to allow for rapid hit and fade attacks against superior numbers. In order to give all forces a fighting chance Doctor Aurora while still working with the alien research teams developed the reaction warhead based off of what they were able to discern from the reactors and engines. These warheads give even a single anti-ship missile the power to destroy any pre-refit warship in a single hit. It is hoped that even the alien vessels cannot take multiple hits from these warheads to give our fighter and MS the punch to blunt the alien forces' attack.

Doctor Shiro Kurita is the leader of the communications and sensor department. He has the hardest job of trying to improve both of those portions of Humanity's tech base. While the advancements from the alien computers have increased the ability of comms and sensors they still fall short of what is deemed acceptable. In order to address this issue, Doctor Kurita has focused all his efforts into finding some frequency or signal that can pierce the higher saturation levels of M-particles. While there are some leads nothing has proven truly special. This has lead to a side project for Doctor Kurita using the reaction warhead recently developed and the IFF system gained from the alien computers he has developed a new anti-ship weapon. A missile/torpedo meant to be fired only from warships and then using only the IFF system and visual reading for large vessels speeds toward enemy ships. The larger size and increased payload lead to a devasting weapon. Unfortunately while powerful at the current level it would require a dedicated ship with a primarily missile-based loadout to be effective since it would require a large number of missiles to get hits with the interference. A positive of designing a missile cruiser is that when the saturation issue is solved the ship becomes even more dangerous on the battlefield.

The last of the group is Doctor Antonio Castillo a high energy physicist and engineer. Coincidently he happens to have a son that serves alongside Doctor Stuart's daughter. Doctor Castillo is invested in increasing the efficiency of the reactors used in all Federation assets as well as looking into ways to make the ECA system cheaper and easier to mount on units. Currently, he is working to see how much a mixture of R and M particles can be made without causing damage to the reactor. If he is successful then the ECA will become possible for every vehicle in the EFF arsenal. Power generation is also extremely important as it allows for faster fire rate of the Beam cannons and faster engines for travel speeds. The more spare power produced the stronger that the ECA becomes. This is the main motivation for Doctor Castillo he is aware that his son is testing to become an officer and is likely to become a pilot either in the new Resolute fighter or in one of the MS squadron. The thought of having his son die because there wasn't enough power for his ECA haunts him. So he spends his time pushing the generators as far as possible and finding ways to make them run at that level in a safe and economical fashion.

Overall this group of people is all vital in one way or another to Humanities future growth and advancement. As such, It is the recommendation of this committee that they be officially sanctioned and given as much support as possible to ensure the best outcome even those from Zeon. While only a few are aware of the potential threat the alien pose none of them know the true extent of that threat. It is imperative that they be made aware of the threat and their new level of support to push them to develop technology and counters for the Armada that might show. We have no idea how much time we have so most push as fast and as hard as possible.

The Committee of Extrasolar Defense

@manofjay here is an omake for people Joanna knows and works with closely. I used some people from other omakes and new people as well. They are all being evaluated for ways that they can be used to improve Humanity's chances of survival. It is an in-universe report from a group that was made by the Federation after it was discovered how badly they were stacked up against. Their mission is to find any advantage that they can and find ways to improve what advantage already exist.

 

[random_npc]

Fighter craft in the modern era
steel and fire magazine​

as the earth federation retires the venerable saberfish, it is perhaps time to reflect upon the role of fighter craft in space combat, and how it has changed in modern times. Before the development of M particles and the following decrease in effective weapons range, fighter craft were of limited use in space. While there was value in the additional force projection, in many cases a hard target in range of a strike fighter was at most hours away from being in range of a battleships cannons, or already within range of long range torpedoes. the birth of M jamming created a brief window of utility, as the use of a manned unit near the target rose massively. However, the birth of the Mobile suite once more reduced their use. While direct comparisons between mobile suits and fighter-craft are hindered by a generational gap, there are fundamental advantages and disadvantages of each. Mobile suits are in general far more maneuverable due to the AMS and massively more durable, due to increased tonnage. Furthermore, they can more easily stay on station, enabling a far longer engagement window. In general, a squad of anti ship equipped mobile suits will be far more dangerous to a warship than a squadron of bombers. Fighter-craft however, have one massive advantage when going up against mobile suits, they don't have to. Due to possessing far lighter armor and armaments, fighters posses a massively more favorable mass to thrust ratio, enabling a significant advantage in acceleration. while this is nearly negated in a dog fight due to the mobile suits insurmountable maneuvering advantage, it does make fighters better suited, at least in theory for a number of roles.

the radically new threat environment of M jamming and mobile suits is still in many ways unexplored, with only a few major war games and a handful of battles against the rebel group true Zeon to explore it. However, so far saberfish fighters have proven more effective scouts than most Mobile suits, better able to chase down suspicious sensor contacts, if not survive the experience. while it has been definitively proven, however, is that a fighter in a dog fight with a mobile suite is dead, effective ant MS tactics have been developed. It is quite common for a fighter to score at least one missile hit while making a high-speed pass, with this failing to result in kills only due to the saberfish's light ordinance. While such runs are immensely dangerous, they are notably effective in enabling a fighter to score hits on a mobile suite, especially should they target already engaged in fur-ball. A second advantage that has been observed is that it is nigh impossible for a mobile suite to chase down a fighter. While most mobile suits are sufficiently deadly to intercept a fighter passing through the range of its weapon, once gun range is passed a mobile suite has little hope of catching up.

These findings are universally reflected in the creation of the recently unveiled HASF-79. Instead of attempting to survive in dog fights, the fighter instead doubles down on its speed advantage. using a heavy frame with overbuilt engines, and an as yet classified system, the design is capable of staggering acceleration. Despite more advanced technology, the HASF-79 is marginally less maneuverable than its predecessor, sheer speed being the near-total focus of the design. The clear intention is to minimize the interception window of hostile Mobile suits while it conducts its attack runs. In terms of armaments, it seems endurance has been sacrificed for versatility. The crafts primary armament is an internal weapons bay, able to carry either eight anti-MS missiles or a quartet of anti-ship missiles. This secondary armament is a 35mm auto-cannon, while massive for a fighter it is expected to be only moderately effective against mobile suits. Our sources in the design team hint that there was a significant debate on ditching the gun for additional engines, but caution eventually won out, as they were unsure how detrimental lacking a secondary weapon would be. However, the cannon has been stated to be a defensive weapon, meant to enable craft either not equipped with, or out of anti-MS missiles to defend themselves. The HASF-79 is designed to be capable of both high speed attack runs on mobile suits, and to act as a difficult to intercept bomber. carrying anti ship ordinance either around or though the enemies mobile suite screen. There are clear parallels between the new design and its predecessor. In many ways the HASF-79 can be seen as the saberfish concept adapted to the changing battlefield. Refocusing its engines for speed over maneuverability, and sacarficing combat endurance for the needed punch to remain relevant against increasingly durable foes. So far, the similarity has been a significant boon, greatly easing the retraining of existing pilots, but concerns have been raised it would enable existing anti saberfish tactics to be re-purposed with similar ease.

On paper, the latest generation of fighter has both the speed and punch to reclaim its niche However, the design remains untested for now. What the future holds remains in doubt, due to the staggering change in battled conditions as new applications of M particles and overtech are uncovered. Many military theorists believe the continued relevance of fixed-wing aircraft will live or die with the HASF-79. saying that the doubt of such crafts reverence was why the earth sphere only developed a single new generation craft. A number of experts have predicted that should the HASF-79 prove successful, we will see a number of specialist designs in the next generation, and should it prove a failure we will see fighters disappear from space. Their role and niche filled fully by mobile suits. If the HASF-79 will prove that such craft has a place on the battlefield once and for all, or be the final dying gasp of an outmoded weapons system remains to be seen.

@manofjay I thought to hard about military hardware again. Also, if you'd prefer I did not ping you for omakes let me know and i'll stop.

 

[chriswriter90]

This isn't what I wanted to write first, but this flowed the most easily.


Earthsphere News Network 8/9 Suplemental

Turmoil and change in the Aerospace Industry:

Harvick has found itself facing two separate attempts to buy out and absorb it; the first from Anaheim Electroics attempting to break into the arms industry and the second from Zeon's MIP corporation. With three industry giants distracted, formerly bit players have re-risen to prominence including Northrom (formerly Northrop Grumman) and General Motors. Both Northrop and General Motors have secured licenses to produce the RGM series mobile suits for the Federation and the Colonies.

Notes:
Northrom and GM eventually became Shinsei Industry and General Galaxy respectively in Macross Canon.
Anaheim bought out both Harvick and MIP in Gundam Canon.


A round of mergers in Zeon:

Several Zeon armaments companies are in the planning stages for mergers next year. Abine and Brash are Zeon's major energy-weapons research and manufacturing corporations, they intend to streamline Zeon's beam weapons research and manufacturing by bringing it all under one aegis as part of the United Maintenance Plan. Felipe, Garmonica, and Khanom worked together to develop the Zaku's monoeye and now they are planning for greater cooperation in line with Zeon's UMP.

Notes:
All of these Zeon companies were gobbled up by Anaheim in Canon after the One Year War.


Earth Federation Forces ignores push from arms industry to upgrade Earthside forces:

With the EFF ground and naval forces obsolete in the face of Mobile Suits and Alien Overtechnology numerous manufacturers are offering upgrades and replacements for the EFF's arsenal, but the EFF simply isn't buying. The only companies who have weathered this appear to be the mergers Viggers/Chrauler and Centinental/Kransmann who have developed specialized ground-variants of the Zaku Ritter and GM and industry juggernaut Rheinmetall which has spearheaded research and development of the EFF's new railgun technology.

The only bight spot appears to be the newly burgeoning submarine force. Earlier this year the EFF launched the first vessels of the U-class and Lockwood-class submarines with many more having begun construction in drydock. With the looming potential threat of orbital bombardment the EFF has made the decision to transition from a surface-based fleet to an entirely submersible fleet. Naval architects now have the daunting task of building submersible aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships to satisfy the EFF's perceived needs.

Notes:
1. Viggers/Chrauler and Centinental/Kransmann manufactured Destroid mecha in Macross Canon
2. I don't know why having Rheinmetall spearhead railgun research in the private sector jumped out to me, it just seemed to work.
3. In Gundam Canon the U-Type and Lockwood class submarine prototypes were captured by Zeon before the EFF could launch them. Zeon devolped them into the Jukon class and Mad Angler class respectively while adding the capability to carry and launch mobile suits.
4. In Macross Canon the Prometheus and Daedalus actually were submersible, we just never got to see them do it because the SDF-1 took them into space.


Zeon's Third-Generation Mobile Suit Competition set to go ahead:

Later this month three prototypes from three companies are set to face each other, each one with the intent of replacing Zeon's venerable Zaku-II. Zeonic's Gelgoog, Zimmad's Gyan, and Kampfer a collaboration by Zimmad and MIP. All companies are keeping their cards mostly to their chests regarding final specifications but some details have come to light.

Gelgoog is supposedly a general purpose machine that can fill most roles evenly, like the Zaku and GM. Gyan is supposedly meant to complement Zimmad's Dom-II, the Dom focusing on heavy armor and ranged firepower with the Gyan focusing on speed, maneuverability, and melee combat. Kampfer is even faster and more lightly armored than the Gyan but features engines and an Inertial Dampaner that promises speed and acceleration comparable to Zero-Wolf's new Resolute fighter.

All three machines are suspected to have alien Overtechnology integrated from the very beginning rather than slapped on afterwards.

Notes: The Kampfer was designed and built by Zimmand in Canon but I decided to change things up.

 

[manofjay]

U.C. 0079.08.17- Side 7, Research Sector

Pixie had always said that there were three kinds of Aces: Those who seek strength, those who live for pride, and those who can read the tide of battle. Those were the three, Cipher mused silently to her self in the cockpit of her GM. They had offered her a Gundam, but is was a point of pride that she could out fight anyone well in a 'grunt' unit. Speaking of which, she thought to herself. She jumped her GM away from a Zaku taking a wild swing at her with a Heat Hawk, putting a beam through it's lower torso. Whenever it had come up Pixie had insisted she was the third, which she supposed was true, Cipher mused as she jammed the bottom edge of her shield into a Zaku as she landed. The impact crushed the TZ machine's cockpit and it toppled backwards.

I hope it was quick, otherwise that's a bad way to go.

Cipher continued marching toward the gunfire she'd been hearing for the past fifteen or so minutes. She was supposed to be the only armed MS in the colony, she was cheaper than a whole squad (if only just), so she surprised that anyone else was putting up much of a fight.

As she came upon the active battlefield she mused further, You know Pixie (you scum) you forgot the all important fourth Ace.

Two Zakus, one with a MMP-80 and the other with a bazooka, lay face down, clean holes lie in the center of their torsos, dangerously close to their reactors. A Gundam, she wasn't if it was a prototype or not (it was painted in test colors), was blocking 120mm fire from a Zaku with it's shield. The Gundam was holding its rifle above it's head, clearly poised to fire at the first opportunity. From Cipher's point of view it was obvious the pilot was an amateur, abet a skilled one.

Lucky nuggets with just enough skill to not die right away.

Cipher wouldn't lie, taking on three-to-one odds with a bazooka in the mix was impressive, but if the pilot carried like they were they'd detonate a reactor and kill the whole colony. Which would mean that she wouldn't get paid, Sigh.

Lets save this idiot from themselves.

Her GM once again leapt into the air, when the artificial gravity reasserted it's self she angled her MS and fell. Right onto the enemy Zaku. The TZ Mobile Suit fell backwards as it was crushed by the the Federation's mainstay. After she finished off her downed foe with a beam to the cockpit she turned to the Gundam and opened radio communications. "You, in the Gundam, name and rank."

???
< I'm, um, not really in the military. >

Ah, just her luck, a civi playing hero. "So? You've still got a name don't you?"

???
< Of course I do! I just don't see any reason to give away to some weirdo! Actually just who are you? Nobody but that Federation Merc should have a Mobile Suit! >

The voice was young, male, and filled with a fear disguising bravado that reminded her of P.J. in a way that made her chest hurt. She shook off the feeling and responded, "Look kid, people tend to take joy riding military hardware very seriously. So drop the attitude and I'll deputize you or something." Maybe it was nostalgia, but having a younger wingman again would be nice.

???
< ....Can you really do that? >

"Probably not, but if anyone complains I'll offer to drop my price by 30%," Cipher smiled to herself, "now come on, there's more TZ stalking about."

???
< ......Sure. What should I call you? >

"Anything other than 'buddy' is fine, but my callsign is Cipher. You?"

< Amuro Ray >

(The next update is coming in the next 2 days, as an apology for how far away that is ask me anything about Cipher)

 

[manofjay]

UC 0079.07.04 Side 5-New Jalpur: AWOL Bar & Grill

Casval wasn't sure of what he should do, he had based his whole life on the thought that he would have to kill Zabi family. Get revenge for his father, at the cost his best friend? Thinking about it now, without the haze of hate that seem to have been lifted out of his mind, it seemed so foolish. What would he have done if he had succeeded? Fight the whole Federation with what was left of Zeon? What about the Zabi's supporters? Would he have fought them as well? And what about Mineva, did really have it his heart to kill an innocent child? He might have and the thought makes him sick.

"Another whisky please."

"Don't you think you've had enough?"

The waitress was a pretty young thing, willowy but not too thin. With pleasingly dark skin, like most of the citizens of New Jalpur. When the Federation "sent" a third of India in to space this is were most of them ended up.

"I fine, trust me. If I was drunk I'd be spilling state secrets."

The waitress simply rolled her eyes (her name was Devi) and said, "only one more," and went to get his drink. This was a soldier's bar, Federation and Zeon (although it was mostly empty to night), so she'd probably heard that one before. There was actually a recruiting station for both the Federal Space Navy and the Zeonic Space Force just down the street from the bar and right across from each other. Both of them were rather relaxed people and would often jokingly goad each other into proving which was best. The was also a man from the Flanagan Institute offering a sign on bonus to any civilian volunteers, he was a slimy asshole.

"Hey, I think I recognize you..." Well he'd been staring off in to nothing (very different from staring off into space) Devi had come back with his drink, it seems she was a fan and had recognized him. He began to search for a pen to sign something with when.. "Your Johnny Ridden, right?" Casval visibly shrank into his seat, "Guess not, this one on the house."

He started on his drink as he thought on his other problems, to top off everything else.....

"Char?" Garma had a troubled expression on his face,

"What is it my friend?"

"I don't think I'm allowed to tell you this but....."

A damn alien invasion! Right out of a late night special! Even if he came to a decision on what to do about the Zabis, he would still have to fight a damned alien invasion! As he sighed he he saw the slimeball from Flanagan come in and make his way to the bar and order a drink. Drinking on the job, I think a long talk with your boss is in order. However far more interesting was who came in mere moments after, a young Indian woman, no, more likely a girl, with a face covered in equal parts worry and determination. "Please reconsider!"

If she's talking about what i think she is, a long talk isn't the only think you'll be getting.

Fortunately for the scum in question, she was talking about the slimeball's actual job, signing on civilian contractors. Only she was apparently too young. "Sorry sweetheart, rules are rules. But....." The smile on his face became something sicking, "I get off work in an hour, we can 'discuss' signing you on in more detail. I might even change my mind."

Forget the long talk, when the fucker left the bar Casval was gonna break his fucking kneecaps. To the girl's credit she didn't even flinch when the creep ran his hand along her face, at least until he tried to caress her lips with his thumb. She opened her mouth wide and bit.

"Gah! Bitch! That was my fucking thumb, I'll get you for that!"

The girl looked incredibly pleased with herself, the waitress seemed to have enough of the creep and told him to get lost.

"Or what?"

"Or I'll call the cops and tell them you tried to solicit sex from a minor."

The human form of living garbage actually had the audacity to laugh, "who do you think they're gonna a believe, a respected researcher or some Indian barfly."

The sound of a shell being racked into a firing chamber filled the room. The bartender and owner, a six foot-seven wall of muscle, had taken his shotgun out from under the bar and leveled it at the creep. "The lady said leave."

"Fine, fine. I'll leave," his face twisted into an ugly smile again, and in one smooth motion, draws a knife from his and levels it to the girls neck, "but not without the girl." For the first time that night the girl looked afraid, "Drop the gun old man, or you'll be cleaning blood out of your floors."

The bartender looked to the gun and girl several times well a Federation Officer, who'd spent most of the night slouched over a table, made a heroic effort to stand but fell flat on her face. The bartender finally sucked in a breath and laid the shotgun on the counter.

"That's what I thought, now all of you will-" and then with a flying leap and a cry of "Comet Kick!" Commander Char Aznable came crashing foot first into the living testament to the failure of Darwinism.

Maybe I am a little drunk. Casval thought to himself before stepping, hard, onto man's hand. Taking great satisfaction in the crunch it made. It was just a shame the first kick had knocked him clean out.

"Sorry I took so long, I didn't think it wou-" Casval was interrupted by the small girl slamming into him and wrapping her arms around his waist, with multiple cries of 'thank you! thank you'.

"Just er- doing my job."

"Hey! Your Char, the 'Red Comet', right!"

Casval rubbed the back of his neck, "You got me, but you have me a disadvantage miss?"

"Lalah, Lalah Sun. Thank you again, you really are a hero Mr. Char!"

Casv- Char smiled, reclaiming his father's legacy could wait, it seems there are people who still need Char Aznable.

"If your still interested I can get you into the Institute, with triple the sign on bonus even!"

"Really?!"

"Of course."

"Hey not to sound ungrateful or anything," the barman began, "but I do need you two to stay until the cops get here."

"Ah, sure."

At some point wile waiting for the police Lalah had seen fit to hold his hand.

It felt right.

(Holy crap, this really got away from me, expect Supervision tomorrow as this took way more out of me than I thought it would. See you all then.)
(Edit: Fixed the date)

Spoiler: BONUS

"I didn't think you were one for picking up strays Char."
"Shut up Garma."

 

[manofjay]

(I am so sorry this is so late)


Target to the left.
Where am I?
Break it.
What?
The wrist mounted short blade cleaves the thin machine in two.
Here? This was... a rebellion?
New orders come, orders are absolute.
That's.... Right?
New targets.
Interceptors, they stood no chance.
Break them.
A desperation move.
Missiles fly, strike craft die in scores.
They knew and died anyway.
New targets-
Another battlesu-
A light.
What is-
New orders come, orders are absolute.
These are not from command.
New targets look like allies.
They're our comrades!
Orders are absolute.
Please!
Break them.
I don't want to!
The wrist mounted short blade, guts the target.
She was my second!
Missiles destroy target's reinforcements.
They were avenging a fallen comrade!
New target, capital ship.
We're not equipped to-
Destroy at all cost.
We will all be killed.
Allies die in scores.
No!
Target is destroyed.
It wasn't worth it!
New targets.
No, please....
Targets are battlesuits with V-shaped antennas.
No!
Orders are absolute.
I won't!
Orders are absolute.
Why can't I-
The wrist mounted short blade misses, the plasma gun does not.
Captain!
New target charges.
Gamlin no!
Orders are absolute.
Run!
The wrist mounted short blade impales the cockpit.
Why?
New target, attacks at long range.
Shin, don't!
Missiles swarm, destroying target's aim.
Reposition Shin! Reposi-
The plasma gun hits three times, wrist mounted short blade impales the cockpit.
No!
Two targets, one has a red arm.
No more, please...
Break them.
Run Alex, Larry...
Missiles cover advance.
Please...
Disabled the target with railweapon, red armed target intervenes before destruction.
I wont!
Break them.
I refuse!
Break them.
Don't make me!
Break them.
I can't!
BREAK THEM.
No!
Orders are absolute.
No!
Target-
NO!

---

Tivularrthak wakes up in a cold sweat, Mary Jane plays on Helper. She gently taps Alex's gift on the head to turn it off. She's fine. Their all fine.

---

Alex wakes up with a start, she's not quite sure but for a moment she thought Tiv was in danger. I'll check on her in the morning.


(News is coming later tonight)