Mythril Aces (Re)Union: Real Robot RP - Centauri Roleplay Thread

-Your promotion-

-My choice

Sitting at the table-

"Trio Knight Fergus MacMorna?" Mira asked suddenly, wanting to verify the conclusion she'd arrived at.

edited 13th Jul '14 1:17:16 AM by Dragon573

Maria never knew what to do in these situations. Everyone was around talking to each other, and she couldn't properly focus on one thing or the other. By the time it reached her ears it was just white noise, blank and without meaning. She managed to greet Riley, with a nod, her presence standing out among the others, before returning to her food.

edited 13th Jul '14 8:39:02 AM by Azure

With tired eyes, Fergus eyed her up and down, "Dame Coltello, I presume?"

He spoke with a sardonic Edenic accent and held out his hand to greet her.

She nodded once affirmatively, glancing at the hand for a split second before shaking it briefly.

"Dame Mira Coltello, Sixth Knight," she affirmed, more for the benefit of the others than for his. "The transfer was rushed. I didn't expect you to have received word."

"You hate the Federation."

Elaine looked up at the speaker, and blinked at her, not wanting a repeat of the conversation earlier. She sighed, and returned to eating.

When her commander approached the table, she glanced in his direction, choosing to stay carefully out of the way. The last thing she needed was for the other Knight to let him know what they had been discussing, lest a lecture ensue.

"With all due respect, sir, while I appreciate the gesture I'd rather borrow some money so I could get some nuts and water from a vending machine."

Reid was consciously trying to be nice. There were a few things he absolutely couldn't eat and a lot that he absolutely wouldn't. He wasn't willing to take the chance that he say the wrong thing and get in trouble — he had worked too hard for too long to let this position get away from him.

Robert then spoke up and asked Reid about what had happened to his things. Reid wasn't too beat up about it but he wasn't thrilled. Still, he put on a relatively brave face for his comrades when he responded.

"I think I mentioned it before while we were headed for the locker room, but yes, I left my bag back at the station. Nothing irreplaceable, but... frustrating anyway."

Robert grunted. "Well maybe you could see the quartermaster. We aren't wanting for supplies in this system, I bet he could scrounge up some replacements for you... assuming it's purely utilitarian anyway."

"By the way," Robert continued, addressing the group in general "this ship entered flow space not too long ago if I recall. Did they say where we were headed, or what for?"

"Suit yourself," Rick said, taking his tray back and scooping up a spoonful of some form of 'beef' chili. After swallowing the spoon of alleged food, he continued. "Here, borrow this." He pulled out five monies and set them down on the table in front of the other man.

He looked over at Robert. "Nope, can't say I caught wind of where we're shipping off to. Any ideas?"

edited 14th Jul '14 5:33:29 PM by nman

"I hadn't," Fergus replied, "We have a dossier on potential candidates for substitution."

He paused for a moment to consider, "So, barring a confession on one of your parts, I'd wager that Leon is no longer with us."

"Either due some mythril poisioning, or he's run off to volunteer for a penal battalion," He speculated looking over the table, "I'll send him a card once I figure out which one it was."

"It is going to where it is needed. The long way around, 'fraid, but we didn't want to take any chances. Not with you all a bit beaten around." It was a voice - the same one that had ushered the knights aboard the ship in the first place. An old woman had stepped into the mess hall, her face deeply lined and wrinkled to the point that she looked like little more than a scrawny bald potato. She wore a captain's uniform, with odd feathery shoulderpads and medals pinned to her chest, as well as an old red halfcape. The woman could hardly be more than five feet tall, with her hands behind her back and narrow eyes that seemed unable to stay in one place for long. And scars, too - Her head alone had suffered more wounds than an entire platoon might be expected to.

"Don't stand up, an old woman doesn't need such respect," she said, although likely no one had started to. "I suppose I should introduce myself - some of you are new faces. Name's Gemma Santilliana, of San Teresa. No doubt that tells you more about me than you'd like to know." A slight crinkling around her eyes hinted at a smile. "I'll 'pologize about the speed we've been moving at, at least. Our destination is where the Centauri in this system are flee... Pardon me, converging on, in orbit around Nirvana's moon. Hopefully someone knows what's going on there."

"Now, you've got free reign of the ship as usual. If you need to talk repairs or rearming, the engineering bay is at the ship's rear - Seneschal's got plenty of toys for you all to have a look at. Other than that, you're free to do as you please - 'til we find something you need to blast again, anyways." The old woman turned to go, but paused. "And Fergus, I'd like to speak to you if you have the time. As long as you aren't passing out drunk."

"It is early yet for me to be passing out," Fergus replied, "But for your sake, Gemma, let it not be said that I wouldn't try."

edited 16th Jul '14 9:09:31 PM by Fauxlosophe

"Hah. Too early to drink? On my ship, it's nearer to midnight." The old woman chuckled. "But timekeeping is always difficult in a fleet on the move... Which reminds me, child, my daughter wanted me to say hello to you. And told me to put nails in your whiskey the next time I saw you." She smiled and added, "But that would be rude. No need to worry, I didn't touch it. Yet."

"Tell your fine daughter that if only she would come along herself," Fergus replied, "I might drink it. As to my own well being, I assure you, midnight is a pleasant hour yet for drinking, and so I would not dream of passing out until at least an hour after. Not in the least because I am most often awake during that hour, so dreaming as a whole is a rather difficult endevour."

edited 18th Jul '14 4:02:04 PM by Fauxlosophe

The captain's wrinkled face did indeed bring about images of a potato in Riley's mind. And no sooner did she mention the moon did more farm imagery sprout in her mind. The cow jumped over the moon. she found herself singing in her head.

"There you have it. Prepare for a nice long trip to the moon." Riley said before finally taking a bite of her own meal. She chewed only as long as was necessary before drowning the taste with a cup of water. "Besides that, now that we have a full roster -" she stopped in mid-sentence to look across to the other tables, "Lord Valentine! Your presence is required for this! Now where was I? Right, now that we have a full roster, we need to revamp our battle formation and make sure we are not caught so unprepared next time."

She looks... experienced. Robert thought, observing the numerous scars on the aged captain's face. Her position was earned, that's for certain. That knowledge, along with Gemma's undemanding demeanor, set Robert at ease.

As she went to converse with Fergus, Robert turned his attention back to his company. "Formations eh?" Robert replied, quietly thinking for a moment. While there were doctrines for Frame warfare, they were for the regular pilot. Knights were left to decide for themselves how they best operated. As such, group discussions on battle plans were relatively common among new companies. Robert (and most of the other knights here, most likely) had took part in these discussions at least a few times and had some insight into the tactics of frame companies.

"Hmmm. The frames we have in our company are... a Stalker, a Dyrnwyn, two Clarents, a Niot and an Albatross." He thought for a few seconds more before nodding his head in conclusion. "We're a fairly mixed company, much like a previous company I was in, so I think the tactics they used there would be well suited for us too."

"Now, we used what we called 'Shield and Spear' tactics. You basically divide the company into two general roles, based on the two items of the name. The more general-purpose main-line Frames, which in our case would be Me, Blackfield and Haddad, would form the 'shield.' The more heavy-hitting, long range or stealthy Frames, Lee, Gunderson and Goldschmidt, form the 'spear.' You with me?"

"So the way it works is that when the Company encounters the enemy, the 'shield' moves to intercept and engage. The 'shield' keeps the enemy occupied while protecting the Frames forming the 'spear.' Meanwhile, the 'spear' focuses its more damaging fire on priority targets, like Sharks, Remoras, Titaniuses, Peacemakers or objectives."

"Using these tactics, we can efficiently grind down enemy frame companies and send them running. What do you lads think? Sound like a good battle plan?"

"I'm not an expert, I really wouldn't know." Reid said, sullenly. "I'm more familiar with larger formations, to be honest."

His mind was elsewhere, and he knew it shouldn't have been — he really wanted to be either in his quarters or in whatever kind of computer lab they have around here, but this was clearly a semi-important kind-of-meeting of some manner. He hoped he'd be able to accomplish all the crap he still had to get done that day later on.

"Seems like our usual plan," Rick said. "Though hopefully no one takes the name literally, easy way for the 'shield' to get killed is shoving them between the armored frames and the enemy. Where'd you come up with a name like that? You been watching too many movies again? But speaking of heavy hitting, I've got to see the Quartermaster."

He got up to put his empty dishes and dirty utensils in the dish return, and then headed off to find the Quartermaster.

"Hah! That'd be a sight to see. But she's busy on Aube. Got a new job there as a mediator, pushing around the dons and peasants alike. I'm sure they're all terrified of her already." Gemma smiled in a wistful expression, walking over to stand near Fergus. Her next words were quiet. "Fergus, can you trust these knights?" She watched them talking and planning, her arms behind her back.

The hanger of the Rado de Fortuno was more spacious than many carriers in the fleet, due to running through the length of the ship. In most cases, a large, cavernous space inside a starship was a particularly bad idea - especially on a warship. There was more oxygen needed to fill that space, more danger of a breach venting more atmo than could be afforded, and in general it was a structural instability just waiting for disaster. Many (of those who cared about such things, anyways) had wondered why its manufacturers would risk such dangers, seemingly just for it to look impressive?

The answer was quite simple. They put everything in the hanger.

Six frame catapults ran down the center of the hanger - three on the 'floor' and three on the 'roof', although such things were always a bit circumstantial in space. This gave the frames aboard easy access to the launch systems, stored along the walls in rows, secured in place by racks and metal fastenings around their hulls. Currently, of course, there were only two companies of frames inside. Judging by the space left, it could handle two or three companies' worth more, leaving the hanger a little barren in appearance. It looked like a puppeteer's closet, almost - their marionettes hanging limp on the walls, with props scattered here and there.

Near the back of the hanger were a pair enormous elevators, large enough to easily carry two frames and change each. Presumably they led to the Engineering section of the ship. Currently, one was beginning to rise upwards with a roar of motors that vibrated through the ship, carrying on it both Sigrdrífa and Condition Red - presumably taking them up for repairs.

A number of engineers were scattered about the halls, examining the Frames and checking on the systems. A number of them were clustered around the nearly-slagged frame core that had been brought in before, along with a full squad of marines with beam sabers and rifles trained on it. Captain Gemma obviously wasn't taking any chances. Strangely, though, despite sitting atop a forklift designed for moving Frames it had yet to be moved.

Standing behind the line of troopers was an engineer with gold trimming along his spine, chest and collar, along with the same bizarre feathery shoulderpads that the captain had. Now what could they possibly mean? He appeared to be deep in argument with one of the marines, his heavily accented voice echoing through the hanger.

"Look, ye daft tit. We need ta get this thing up ta the engineerin' bay! We 'aven't got the tools t'open it down here! Now let us move it!"

"Quartermaster, sir, we can't risk it. The Samsarans like to use bombs, from what we're told, and it's entirely possible the man inside is fitted with a suicide vest!"

"So what? In the engineering bay, we've got tools t' open it without us being nearby!"

"But if a bomb went off in the engineering bay, we could lose life support. Protocol is insistent that we open it in here!"

"Ach, I won't scratch yer damn ship!" The engineer spat to the side, shaking his heavily bearded head. "Feh, this is why I hate you rent-a-cops."

The marine scowled. "If I recall right, it's you who are the 'rent-a-crew'. Don't forget, this ship is on loan."

Evidently that was the quartermaster, then. He seemed friendly enough.

Fergus gave a smile of equal parts contentedness and mischieviousness to hear the news, but his face turned more somber as the question of trust and the new Knights were raised.

"Recent transfers," He replied sternly, "I can speak to the competence of about half and the loyalty of about the same. The rest I have questions for, either because I have barely had words with them or because I've already had too many."

edited 24th Jul '14 8:11:46 AM by Fauxlosophe

In response to Richard's proposal, Riley pulled out her data pad and open a cheap simulator program. Bringing up the specifics, she soon had all the company's frames in the order the other knight had suggested.

"Like this?" she asked, showing the simulator to Richard. Even as she was putting it together though, Riley was thinking the formation over. "I like the idea, but considering The Stalker's capabilities, wouldn't it maximize our efficiency to put Lord Valentine at the front of the formation? He will be in a better position to engage stealth and flank the enemy, and that's one less frame the Shield would have to defend."

edited 24th Jul '14 8:41:13 AM by Parable

"So..." Rick said as he walked up to the Quartermaster and marine, and stood nearby, looking up at the frame core. "I need to requisition some weaponry for my frame. I guess now isn't a good time...?"

Robert shrugged. "Name wasn't my idea." he replied to Richard "Our commander was a pretty enthusiastic fellow. He said it was a tactic used by Knights for generations, though I don't know much about that. Anyway, good day to you."

After Richard excused himself, Robert observed the simulation on Riley's touch-pad and listened to her input. "I disagree." Robert said. "The Stalker is a light frame, which, as Dame Carlisle most likely proved back at the station, isn't well suited to most head-on engagements like a Clarent is. Can I have that for a second?" Robert borrowed the touch-pad from Riley and placed it on the table to show his edits to the simulation.

"I grouped Goldschmidt with the spear because the spear's purpose is to focus on priority targets. The Stalker fits a bit weirdly into this idea I guess, but I think what it would be best for is disruption; something like attacking Genuses to prevent them from damaging friendlies, finishing off heavily damaged enemies or wrestling a Peacemaker to prevent it from dropping its payload. As for protection, I suppose the Stalker could be thought of as an exception to that. As long as it keeps itself out of the enemy's crosshairs, it doesn't need protection and it's pretty easy for a Stalker to do that."

"... Hm. Hardly a good place to be in." Gemma sighed deeply, and her next words were barely above a hoarse whisper. "Things are moving forward much quicker than I expected. We got word just an hour ago that Oday Uubato is moving his household troops into the system, in retaliation for the attacks." She gave Fergus a dry look. "The attacks that just occurred. Impressive, that reaction time, isn't it? And from a man who just a week ago was in bed from a beam saber to the gut. Not just him, others too - all of them from the same political faction. They're all supporters of the Gladstone family." She shook her head. "... And here we are borrowing a ship and soldiers from Dame Ignis. Don't tell me you're putting me in the firing lane of politics again, Fergus. I've had enough of them."

The marine sergeant had already turned away from the quartermaster when Rick arrived. The engineer turned, his face briefly storming, but relaxed when he saw it was a knight. Knights he could deal with, when they weren't bringing him slagged wreckage and telling him to fix it. "Oh. Bah, it's plenty good enough. We're not making any damn progress, after all." He scowled over at the engineers, who were levering at the melted pod doors with crowbars. Actual crowbars! He felt like a caveman. "The damn pod's melted shut, and we can't cut it open without boiling the bastard inside alive or whatnot. We got a scan of him, at least - still alive, and apparently terrified out of his wits if his heartbeat's any judge." He grunted and turned back to Rick. "But that's not what yer here for, is it? Let's talk guns."

The engineer started down towards where Ragnarok was being held. Its MECC and Autobeamer were stored on either side of it with the Frame's hands resting on them, easily able to be grabbed quickly for rapid deployment. "Surprised you want to switch. Lotta Albatrosses carry those two - one for hitting big things and the other for smaller things. Not your style?"

"You know what they call me?" Rick said to the Quartermaster. "They call me Gun Show, cause look at these guns," he added, making fists and flexing both his arms so that his biceps bulged through his leather jacket.

"But how am I supposed to do that in a frame if I can't even use both my guns at once?" Rick said as he released the tension in his arms. "We had a demo to do, so I loaded up the MECC because spectators love to see the biggest explosion from the gun that packs the most firepower. But you don't need raw firepower when I'm rocking these guns."

He flexed again.

The quartermaster stared at him for a moment with a flat expression. "Son, cut that out before ye hurt yerself." Continuing as if nothing had happened, he stopped in front of Rick's Frame. "So ye say you want something lighter, then? If yer serious about wanting both your guns on at once - can't dual-wield something as power-consuming as a MECC or Autobeamer. Maybe someday. That'll be quite a day."