Lancer: Fires of Rubicon — IC

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KupoTheMagus
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Lancer: Fires of Rubicon — IC

Post by KupoTheMagus »

The metallic halls of the Lancer Academy building echo with the conversations of other pilots. Each of you are sat at a table and are told to remain quiet while the next available Seargent gives you the tour. A few minutes pass, and a fairly tall woman walks out from one of the many office doors in the room.

"Good evening, pilots. Congratulations on passing your EGO exams. I will be your mentor here at the academy. My name is Aleto Dounare. Callsign Bombshell. It's a pleasure to meet the newest faces of the UGC. Apologies for the wait, I was wrapping up some... unfinished paperwork."

Aleto Dounare
f049ab1fa624a1fb590afa561e9e8731.jpg


In Aleto's hand is a large overflowing folder. Clipping out of the top is a few sheets with portraits on them, some of which appear to be yours.

"If everyone will follow me, I will give you the quick run-down of the facilities here. Considering the time, I will show you to your living quarters last so you can get settled in for the evening. Please hold all questions until the end of the tour."

Without a word, she marches north down the main corridor leading to a large open room where many other pilots are chatting, tinkering, and preparing for their missions.

"To your west is the Hangar. All mechs and parts are stored and maintained there. The launch bay for both mechs and other UGC vehicles lies there. Behind us is the corporate offices. My office is located there, as well as any of the other mentors here at the Academy. Should you have something important to discuss that cannot be said over squadron frequencies, you may come to see me before your mission or after debriefing. To the east lies the training facilities. You may use state-of-the-art gym equipment to stay in peak physical shape, take aim at some targets with your personal pilot firearms, or spar with other pilots. Also located there is the R&D department. Any new licenses you acquire will come from the folks there. Finally, the recreation and living center to our north. This is where you may wind down and rest. We have access to movies and television shows from many different eras, though anything prior to the year 2000 has been lost. There is also a prayer center for those inclined to follow their faith."

Your group is led down a singular long hallway; the gap between doors is fairly large, and each door has a plaque with an inscription on it. Finally, she stops in front of a door without an inscribed plaque.

"This will be your home for quite some time. Please, step inside."

With a swift motion, she swipes her badge over a scanner near the door, and a distinct 'chime' noise is heard. A click, followed by her pulling the door open.

Squadron Echo-3's Bunker
Inside-nuclear-bunker-the-size-of-a-CITY-that-could-hold-10000-in-case-of-massive-catastrophe.jpg


"You will each receive your Mechs tomorrow. The paperwork you've filed will allow us to keep your Mech in a designated garage under the name you've given it. In addition, the mailbox outside will have your personal Lancer Academy badges which will allow you access to the facilities. These badges will have your name and chosen Callsign on them and must remain on your person at all times when outside of your bunker. There are two bathrooms located in this unit, as well as a simple kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and a fresh set of pans for you to use. It will be your job between missions to keep this place organized. Your squad designation will be Echo-3. Your mech's communication controls are being loaded with your squad's frequency. This frequency is to be known only by you and the people in the comms room. There are a total of four bunk beds in this unit. Each bed has two built-in drawers for you to store clothes and other personal belongings."

She pauses to look at the folder in her hand, then returns to a straight standing position.

"This will conclude the tour. Please get a good night's rest. The mission board will be open for your choice of first assignment tomorrow morning at 0800. You are expected to complete no less than one mission per week. We recommend using any other time to hone your skills and staying at the top of your game, but other than designated mission time you are free to do what you please, within reason. Do we have any questions?"
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Last edited by KupoTheMagus on Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
in the Diary of Jane





 
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Namelessjake
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Post by Namelessjake »

She looks a little young to be a mentor, Yuri thinks as Aleto introduces herself. As she begins the tour, he stands, swinging his bag over a shoulder and walking after her. He listens intently, taking in all the information as she talks.

Echo-3, he echoes in his mind as they learn their squad's designation. Not the worst designation I've ever had, he thinks, remembering some of the worst examples from his time as a mercenary. He looks over at his fellow squad mates, I wonder if they all have what it takes. We all graduated so everyone should know what they're doing.

Even as rookies we get our choice of assignment? That's surprising.

"0800 tomorrow, got it," he says to Aleto. A late start.

He steps over to the bunk bed closest to the door and tosses his bag up on to the top bunk. "None from me," he says, answering her question, he looks at the others waiting to see if anyone asks a question.
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes steps silently through the Lancer Academy facilities, taking in all of the sights as Bombshell leads their graduate class. So this is to be my new home, he considers, finding its metallic, sterile halls foreign from the colorful and organic colors of his homeland's temples. The celestin finds his eyes lingering longest on the training and prayer centers, knowing they would make up the bulk of his downtime.

As they reach the barracks that Echo-3 will live in, he smiles. Ah, now this is a sight that is familiar to this warrior. He takes one of the bottom bunks, unsure whether humans will have built stepladders to support his muscular frame. I had better not risk such a gamble.

When Bombshell prompts an answer, the templar shakes his head. This position grants much more independence of duty than I had considered from such a prestigious institution, Antayes considers, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the lack of a dedicated chain of command.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion walks along with the others, holding his bag fairly casually, but with an air of arrogance. Of course I got in. Why wouldn't I?  He thinks to himself as they're led through the facilities to their new bunks. "Tomorrow morning, bright and early? Suppose I can." He says with a nod. He claims one of the higher bunks, tossing his bag in and swiftly hopping up the ladder. Suddenly he holds the back of his head but seems to be fine a moment later, looking down at the others. "Will there be a place to buy food on-site, or will we have to leave the facility to buy groceries? What about payment, surely nothing we buy will be free, exactly." He asks, realizing that he heard about a kitchen, but didn't quite catch about stores or restaurants. 
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Post by greysigil »

Austere halls of steel and order, cold and stoic in disposition. Ezra muses as he follows along with the group. I can't wait to set out, the less time I have to spend trapped in this box of metal the better.

He looks around as they walk, marking the locations and their apparent paths in his head. Interesting. Sounds like I'll be taking plenty of walks while I'm here, I can't imagine that this place has terribly many plants or animals around. I may have to use the gym too, I'll have to keep my strength up if I'm not going to the fields anytime soon.

Echo-3 He thinks, chewing on the name. Plain and serviceable, truly representative of the ultra-utilitarian nature of the place. It could be worse, I suppose.

Ezra enters the room, looking around and getting a feel for the layout. Seeing everyone else claiming bunks, he quickly moves to the back of the room, setting his bag on the lower bed farthest from the door. Not that I dislike any of you yet, we've only just met. But, I don't know you well enough to be comfortable sleeping in the middle of the room. When Aleto prompts a response, he shakes his head once, "No, ma'am." 0800? I'll have plenty of time in the morning to look around the place before I am needed anywhere.
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Post by BartNL »

"0800 copy." Nemo answers. This a new beginning. Let's hope these new allies will prove to be useful. And that the mechs will be as good as promised.
In the dormitory, Nemo picks the bottom bunk closest to the door, below Yuri's, and starts unpacking his bag after meticulously making the bed.
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Post by Fialova »

Eydis follows after their escort, trying her best to stay towards the front so her view is not blocked by all of the other much taller members of the group. Why do they have to all be so big? I'm going to have to do a bunch of cardio just to be able to keep up with everyone.

As she follows along, she tries to make mental notes of where each thing is, but finds herself becoming distracted by the sights and sounds of the other pilots walking, gathering, chatting, and otherwise going about their days. She does provide her full attention when word comes of amenities, however. She listens intently as Aleto describes the various facilities on offer, but her heart sinks slightly as no mention is made of a library. 

When the group arrives to their room, she watches the others grab their bunks and notices the empty one above the celestin. Feeling some small kinship from being the only other non-human in the squad, Eydis makes her way to the bunk above his and tosses her items into it. And if someone decides to attack us, they will see him way before they ever notice me, she thinks, eyeing his huge frame.

When finally prompted for questions, she excitedly raises her hand before posing one of her own. "Yes, is there a library somewhere here? Or a database of digital copies of books? I didn't hear any mention of reading materials in the rec center," she responds, unable to fully hide the worry in her voice.
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

She takes a minute to mull over the paperwork in her folder before looking at the group yet again.

"Free breakfast is provided to all pilots in the main area. It's a fairly simple eggs 'n hash, but it's loaded with an allotment of vitamins. Beyond that, there are a few restaurants in the base. You may also take the tram to one of the other districts if a restaurant you enjoy is located out there. Your provided funds will be loaded onto your Pilot I.D. for you to use. Most, if not all of your grocery shopping can be handled in District 2."

Her head tilts at the Nyathal with a pinch of excitement in her eyes.

"Of course. Not only is it important to strengthen the body, but also to strengthen the mind. The library does have many physical books but mostly hosts holo-discs with what couldn't be kept in paper text. I personally enjoy the selection of old-world Westerns to read in my downtime... whatever little I get."

Aleto shifts towards the door.

"If that will be everything, I'd recommend you all get to know each other. At least for the mid-term, you'll be working together as a squadron. Remember that each of you has passed the EGO: you're considered a rare case, even amongst other pilots. Don't let that overconfidence get to your head. Eyes are watching, and there are high expectations from you. If you need to contact me with any further questions, you may either send me a message through your radio or visit me during your downtime. I'll be taking my leave now."

She scans the door and leaves the newly formed Echo-3 to their thoughts.
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
in the Diary of Jane





 
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Post by ratwizard »

Upon their mentor's departure, Antayes turns toward the rest of his new comrades of Echo-3.

"I suppose a wealth of congratulations are in order," he says, his deep voice booming through the barracks hall as he wears a proud smile. "After all, we have finally made it to this mightiest of stations, no? I say we share a bottle or two of Kaloran wine, relax, and familiarize ourselves with each other. I've brought along enough from home to share — it's a beautiful vintage, most assuredly. Ah, yes, and I have terrasol water for those who'd prefer it instead." The celestin pulls a few bottles from a bulky case under his bunk, quickly collecting a few glasses from the communal area. He begins pouring and serving, his large hands clutching the human-sized drinkware with a surprising grace.

"Tomorrow, the beginning of our new lives. But tonight? Tonight we celebrate." He raises a glass to toast.
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Post by Namelessjake »

"Just water for me," Yuri replies to the celestin. "I don't like to dull my senses," he says, taking a glass of water and raising it to join the toast. "To Echo-3," he says looking around at the newly formed squad. I wonder who the best is, he can't help but think.
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Post by Fialova »

Eydis watches and listens as her new bunkmate speaks, finding more interest in his alien appearance than what he has to say. Not really paying attention to what he said the drink was, but happy for it being free, she walks past the others and takes one of the glasses he'd poured. "Thanks!" she says, "we are pretty great, yeah."

She takes a large gulp of the wine and, having never had wine before, is immediately struck by the strong taste of the alcohol. Grimacing, she looks towards the glass and its contents in disgust. What even is that? she thinks, turning to look to the large man with genuine confusion on her face. People drink this? Like for fun? With a frown, she sets the glass back down where she'd found it, before stepping back to lean against the ladder to her bunk. 

"Uh, I'm good, thanks," she continues, as the taste of it still coats the inside of her mouth. "You can have the rest of mine too if you want," she says to no one in particular. I will have to find a place here that has better drinks than that. I don't even want to know what is in his 'water.'
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Post by BartNL »

"That's thoughtful, thank you." Nemo says as he accepts the glass of wine. Who would have thought I'd be having a glass of good wine in a place like this. Nemo reminisces of home, the parties were rare vintages went down like lemonade, the music, his friends. Home, a place now lost forever.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion rolled his eyes slightly at the response from their instructor, accepting the sterile response. At least she gave me an answer, he thinks. He watches her as she leaves and then glances back at his new companions, and sighs. "The callsign's Phoenix. Sure, I'll take some wine." He accepts a glass if one was handed to him. "I don't think I was ever in doubt that I'd pass, but yes. To Echo 3's success, and future successes." He gives a smirk to the other members of Echo 3 and then takes a long sip of his glass. "I trust that you all will be good teammates. I can't wait to see how you all do in combat." And hopefully, they're not a hindrance... he thinks to himself. "A library? I suppose that would be good. I wouldn't mind seeing what knowledge is locked within these halls."
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Post by Namelessjake »

"I'm sure you will soon enough," Yuri replies to Phoenix. "DEFCON," he adds also introducing himself by his callsign, pointing to himself with a thumb as way of explanation.
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes watches Eydis' discomfort with great enjoyment. A young-tongue, undoubtedly.

"A confident one," he booms, wearing a wide smile as he claps Jion with a massive palm on the man's shoulder. "I am sure you will find that we meet your standard tomorrow. We wouldn't be here if not."

The massive celestin places a hand on his sternum, gesturing to himself. "NO-SANCTUARY. Though I have been cautioned by many of your people here that a callsign is intended to be short. To be snappy." He shakes his head, appearing to find a strange humor in this. "NO-SANC, if you share their concern for brevity."
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Post by Fialova »

Eydis listens to the others speak, cringing slightly as each of them takes their own sips of the disgusting beverage. "Mine's Rhiannon," she responds, as the topic shifts to what everyone's callsign is. Why'd they have to put me in a squadron with a bunch of old men? What are we supposed to have in common? With the drink a clear no-go, she decides to climb into her bunk and lean over the side for the duration of the conversation, the height of the others towering over her making her uncomfortable.
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Post by greysigil »

Ezra sits on the edge of his bunk, digging through his bag for his sketchpad, nearly jumping out of his skin as the massive celestin's voice rings out. Honestly, what did I expect, him to have the voice of a doormouse? As the large man announces the wine, Ezra will reach back into his bag to produce a bag of dried fruit. "If libations are to be had, I would add my own to the offerings: fruit from the garden I tend, sun-dried." He glances up at Eydis before setting the bag down, having seen her reaction to the wine. What a curious group. She and Phoenix are so young, No-Sanctuary so large both physically and in presence, Defcon and the other so jaded, like they've been here before. I wonder how we will all mesh, when the chips are down.

He takes a glass of water and a seat in one of the chairs, listening to the others list off their callsigns. "Medusa," he says, taking a sip of his water and setting it on the floor next to him before opening his book and starting to draw.
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Post by ratwizard »

"Yes, yes, excellent," Antayes cheers as Ezra adds to the communal pot his own creations. He chews the human fruit carefully and with great pleasure. Sun-dried by the light of Ogenta, the celestin notes, tasting her Divine Grace in each bite. "Your fruit is truly divine, Medusa. Thank you for sharing this with us. You will have to tell me of your gardening sometime, I would be honored to hear more about it."
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Post by BartNL »

"I am nothing to you but Nemo." Nemo adds as the others state their call signs.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion laughs a bit as No-Sanc claps him on the shoulder; he ignores his first instinct, and after a moment responds with a polite smile. "I'm sure you will prove me right." he rather swiftly picks up some of the sundried fruit and eats a few pieces. "Yes, its delicious, you're a good gardner." he says, desperately hoping that they are as good of pilots as they seem to be.
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Post by Namelessjake »

A man of few words. I won't have to worry about him waking me up, Yuri thinks as his new bunkmate introduces himself as Nemo. The mercenary reaches out and takes a piece of the sundried fruit offered up by Medusa. He nods in agreement with the others, finding the home grown fruit better than most of the processed foods available in the city - reminding him more of the food they ate in the remote village he grew up in.

He takes a seat, leaning back into the chair as he continues to sip his water. Small talk has never bothered him, but he finds no burning questions in his mind to drum up further conversation. Come our first mission together tomorrow - we will get to know each other more truly than we would across a hundred conversations, he thinks, having seen and experienced the strength of the bonds forged in battle many times over.
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

As the night dwindles, the crew gets to know each other. Telling stories of their lives before the academy and sipping on vintage wine, the newly formed Echo-3 settles in for the last "normal" night of their lives. Tomorrow, the work begins in earnest...


The Following Morning
Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt. The sound of a military alarm. Uniformity in every way. Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt. The clock showed 0800. A fresh day had dawned. The lights in Echo-3's home bunker shot on to jolt the passengers awake.

A small dripping noise could be heard from the kitchen, as the automatic coffee maker began brewing a pot.
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
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in the Diary of Jane





 
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Post by ratwizard »

"Ah, fantastic. Right on time," Antayes booms, watching the coffee pot with great amusement, hands on his hips. No surprises there — after all, he had set it the night prior. Human coffee was quite different than the hot beverages his people served, but the jolting effect was all the same. "Rise and shine, Echo-3. How do you take your 'joe'?" He grins wide, fully dressed and ready for report. His bunk is made spotless, the sheets as fresh as when they arrived.
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Post by Namelessjake »

At 0800 on the dot, as the alarm sounds, Yuri strolls back into the Echo-3 living quarters. He is fully dressed, although his short hair glistens with a few beads of water, left over from his post work out shower. After waking up at 0600 he had made his way straight to the gym, grabbing his ID bagde from the mailbox on the way. After starting with his usual full body weight training regime before finishing up with 45 minutes of cardio and a shower.

"Black for me, thank you," he says in reply to Antayes, making for the kitchen area and taking a seat as he waits for the others to wake.
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Post by greysigil »

0800 finds Ezra sitting in a chair, reading on a device he grabbed from the library. He had awoken at 0500, his circadian rhythm still set to the early mornings of the Soil, and he had taken a walk around the grounds, before stopping in the library to peruse their selection, finding a book of offworld poetry and returning to Echo-3's barracks to shower and settle into the dark to read.

The lights kicking on caused him to blink rapidly as his eyes adjusted, and he looks up and over at Antayes to respond: "Three parts coffee to one part cream, if there is any. I can sweeten it to taste." He stands, clicking the book off and setting it on his bunk before following Yuri towards the kitchen.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

To his great surprise- and fear- Jion awoke to the sound of the alarm. He had expected himself to wake up first, but he got dressed and slid out from his bunk all the same. "Two cream, two sugar. The way I've always taken it." He says calmly. "Thanks." He says, walking towards the Celestin in order to get his coffee. "I'm gonna have to wake up earlier to beat you all to the jump. Way earlier." He says, vocalizing his shock openly, though he still carried himself with an air of slight arrogance, a confidence possibly unearned in his step.
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Post by Fialova »

Eydis groans and stretches haphazardly as the buss of the alarm, and the glare of the bunk's lights, awake her from her peaceful slumber. Moments before, she had been bounding through the treeline of her home forest, in a race against her old friends, and now she was faced with the grim reality of her current lot in life, bunked with several large strangers and preparing for a day of work as a pilot. As she finishes her stretches, she leaps from her spot on the top bunk to the ground, before turning to face Antayes.

"Lots of cream," she responds as she rubs her eyes, trying to adjust them to the now-bright light engulfing the room. "No sugar, though," she continues, a brief moment of panic setting in as she recalls the disgusting beverage the man had given her the night before. He can't mess up coffee, though, right? I'm sure it will be fine. She clumsily dons her uniform as she awaits the beverage, eager to see what her new career has in store.
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes nods silently at each order, his graceful hands moving to keep up with the rest of Echo-3 as he prepares their coffee.

Black. Not one to dull his senses with drink, but open to a stimulant without the common pleasures of sugar or cream alongside it. He sets a cup before Yuri.

Three parts coffee, one part cream. A rational, measured man. Yet one who prefers a bit of control. He sets a cup before Ezra.

Two cream, two sugar. A nostalgia, a memory of a life before this one. Tempered, and unwilling to bend. He sets a cup before Jion.

Lots of cream, no sugar. A curious choice — the preference of one with sensitive taste. 'Young-tongue' may have been inaccurate, premature. We may have much to learn from this one. He sets a cup before Eydis.

Smiling, he takes a cup of his own. Cream and sugar in even parts, with a dash of cinnamon from the cabinets he had scrounged. Mixed well, no dregs at the bottom. He sips the coffee and looks around. "Anyone else?"
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Post by BartNL »

By 08:00 Nemo has made sure to be dressed and is reading a manual on mech maintenance.
"I'd like a dash of cardamon, teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Thank you for making coffee." Nemo replies.
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes smacks his lips, settling for a single sip for now as he busies himself with Nemo's order. A dash of cardamom, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Unconventional, yet experienced. One does not ask for such an order without having enjoyed it many times before. He smiles as he sets the final cup before Nemo.

"Good morning to you all, and good luck to us today."
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

Echo-3 enjoys their morning coffee respite for a short while. Footsteps can be heard in the hallway as other pilots make their way to the Sortie Board. A small hologram pops up on the kitchen counter.

Robot.PNG

"BZZT. GOOD MORNING ECHO-3. I AM PROTOCOL S3RV-NT, AN AUTOMATED HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE DRONE ASSIGNED TO EACH PILOT SQUAD. PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO DISPATCH AT YOUR EARLIEST <CONVENIENCE>. BZZT."

The hologram whirs and buzzes before powering down.
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FinalTemplar
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion sips on his coffee in silence, closing his eyes as time presses on.
After some time he glances over, the message droid popping up to tell them what to do, which causes him to sigh. "Alright Echo-3. Time to get to work." He says, finishing his coffee and heading to the door.
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ratwizard
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes nods, growing eager to begin their first mission together. "Let us prove our mettle, yes?" He follows after Jion. I wonder just how much choice we are given with picking our assignments, the towering celestin considers, the privilege still strange to him after a night's sleep.
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Post by Namelessjake »

"Let's get to it," Yuri says, finishing off what remains of his coffee and setting his cup down. He makes his way after Jion and Antayes, heading for the sortie board. I wonder if we'll be thrown in the deep end or if we'll be given a soft ball as our first assignment, he wonders.
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Post by BartNL »

Nemo finishes the rest of his coffee in a single long sip.
"I am ready PROTOCOL S3RV-NT." Nemo states before joining the others heading out.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion makes his way out into the hall, grabbing his id badge on the way to the sortie board.
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

Echo-3 falls in line behind a couple of the other squads as they make their way to the Sortie Board. Most of the groups in the Echo Division have gathered around the board of the same name. Many of the pilots at this board are recognizable at first glance, people that each of you have taken the exam besides.

By the time your group is able to get to the board, only your squad and Echo-5 remain. Two squads, two jobs. One of the members of Echo-5 approaches your group. His accent is of thick Southern influence, and he smells of cheap cologne.

Kergil.png

"Good to see a familiar face or two. Go on, you can pick first. We're gonna load up on food before the trip anyway; I'm sure you're itchin' to test out your new mechs."

The Nyathal steps back, and the board awaits.

Job 1
Mission Name: Desolate Cavern
Mission Type: Engagement/Diplomatic
Location: Human-Owned Territory - N13/W6 | Kolistt Mountain Range Sector J

One of the old mining crews have gone radio silent after being denied a pay increase. Not only are their Mechs property of Division M-12, but the resources they're digging up should cover power expenses for a good while. Go check in on them and "convince" them to cease this standoff. Don't worry about using deadly force if needed, Division M-12 mechs come with a self-repair failsafe if one were to ever go critical.

Environmental Conditions: Thin Atmosphere

Estimated Resistance: 3x Mining Unit Model DR


Job 2
Mission Name: Robotic Graveyard
Mission Type: Engagement
Location: Human-Owned Territory - S5/W12 | Meridan Swampland

Multiple NHP Recon Mechs have cascaded and have begun destroying local wildlife. This could cause an imbalance in the ecosystem if left unattended.

Environmental Conditions: Deep Waters

Estimated Resistance: 4x C-Class Scourer Mechs


On each screen is a dotted line for a squad to sign up.
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greysigil
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Post by greysigil »

Ezra takes a sip of his coffee and suppresses a grimace. Hm, better than nothing, I suppose. He adds a generous helping of sugar, and drinks the rest in silence, reading on his slate while everyone else filters in.



Ezra's eyes lift to the drone, listening. Time to get to work. He thinks as he stands and follows the group.



Reaching the board, Ezra looks over the two jobs. Hm, not much selection, but they don't seem to be too bad. He turns to the rest of Echo-3. "My vote is for the second, I'm more suited to aquatic environs than high altitude, but either one works for me.
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Post by BartNL »

"I prefer the deep waters." Nemo says.
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion looks between both and mildly grimaces. "My mech won't work in the water. I'll go if that's where everyone else is going, but the choice is clear for me." He points towards job A.
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ratwizard
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Post by ratwizard »

Antayes grits his teeth as the other Echo squads beat them to the punch. He gives the nyathal a firm nod. Another outsider. I suppose we'll both have to prove our weight to the humans.

Turning to his own squad, his tension melts into a cheeky grin. "Any lancer worth their salt can take down rampant recon mechs. It'd take a firm resolve to reason with these insubordinate labor rebels, whether with words or weapons. I vote Desolate Cavern. Let us truly test our mettle. Though, Deliverance has been outfitted with an EVA module, so I am capable of either we choose." He casts a sidelong glance at Jion, continuing his grin. This one is quite humorous to me. One so boastful has been stymied by something as basic as aquatic terrain.
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Post by Namelessjake »

It was easy to forget back home that we're sharing this planet, Yuri thinks as they meet Echo-5. This city is very different.

He finds himself smiling slightly at Antayes' words. "My vote is also be for Desolate Cavern. It's not too dissimilar to the types of missions I used to take - although operating on foot we'd have to avoid any mechs," he says, casting his own vote. "So that's three for Desolate Cavern. Two for Robotic Graveyard. Rhiannon? Is it decided or do we need to work out how to break a tie?" He asks working to their Nyathal squad mate who has yet to speak.
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Post by Fialova »

Eydis takes her coffee and gulps more than half of it down immediately, before turning to Antayes with a smile. "Thanks, it's perfect," she responds, before returning the glass to her lips to down the rest of the drink. Once done, she takes it to the sink to wash it out as the robot appaears and informs them of their next task. She nods in response, following after the others as they head out to begin their first day as a unit. Finally, a mission. Hopefully we work well together.

When their two mission choices are presented, she reads and considers each. She is initially drawn to the latter option, the potential environmental damage sparking an innate emotional response. However, knowing the difficulty of dealing with water, and hearing the others' arguments in favor of the cavern, she decides to go with the majority. "I think the cavern is good," she responds, less confident in her reasoning than she is in that of the others. The other team better get those drones, I can't imagine what would happen if they don't.
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

The datapad in-front of the board beeps and whirs as Echo-3 assigns themselves to Operation: Desolate Cavern. The Nyathal smiles and nods, waiting for the group to back away before signing Echo-5 up for Robotic Graveyard.

"Best of luck out there. Make sure you take deep breaths before heading under, heard the atmosphere out there is shit."

With that, the Nyathal gathers his crew and walks off towards the Mech Hangar for deployment.
 
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greysigil
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Post by greysigil »

Ezra frowns as he finds himself in the minority. "Fair enough. Let's get to work." he says under his breath, as he looks to the rest of the team. It'll be fine. Theyre just people, I'm sure its just a misunderstanding. Hope one of us is good at talking, though.

"Well, sounds like it's decided. Off to the high peaks, then?"
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Post by Namelessjake »

Yuri nods at Ezra's words. "Let's get to our mechs," he says, keen to deploy on their first mission together. "Those miners are going to regret messing with Echo-3," he adds with a smile.
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Post by ratwizard »

"Yes, we should begin immediately," Antayes says, sharing a grin. "Let these hooligans witness our resolve, and decide if they are willing to live for their cause, or die for it."
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FinalTemplar
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Post by FinalTemplar »

Jion hated being shown his weakness but knew he had to pretend like he could own it sometimes. "To the mechs, onward and upward." He says, with a forced smile, heading towards the mech bay to get his suit on and to begin climbing into his mech for launch procedures.

OOC
If there's another spot we need to head to before leaving Jion will let himself get sidetracked, but otherwise he is bee-lining to his mech.
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Post by BartNL »

With a frown after hearing they are not heading towards the deep waters, Nemo walks off to find his mech.
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Post by KupoTheMagus »

The newly formed Echo-3 arrives at the mech hanger, where each of their individual mechs are being loaded onto a large dropship. An older man, roughly 50s, wearing a grey military uniform is directing specialized forklifts to attach each of your mechs onto the deployment bay. They're latched in and secured, and the cockpits are popped open.

The man turns to the group and ushers each of them into their respective mechs. The panels close around the mechs leaving each of you in darkness, save for a few red caution lights. A rocking, a shift, and the dropship takes to the skies. Without a view of the outside world, the armored panels protecting your mechs and holding them in place create a false sense of time slowing to an eerie halt.

Your cockpit HUDs each light up, as a voice begins to brief you on the mission. "Greeting Echo-3, I am an NHP Servant-Class operator known as The Surgeon. Estimated time to drop zone: two hours, fourteen minutes. Operation: Desolate Cavern. The Division M-12 mining force has turned off all communication to Lancer Academy Headquarters. Your mission is to make your way safely through the Mountain Range and confront the group. This mining group is led by a Celestin named Orthux. Whether you talk him into re-establishing communications with Headquarters or handle this mission in mech-to-mech combat is ultimately your call. DR Mining Units are equipped with a precision laser and a powerful drill. While they are not state-of-the-art GMS mechs, do exercise caution when engaging them. Should you manage to complete this mission, you will be awarded a new license of your choice, and shed your "GREEN" status. ... Green in this instance means 'Rookie'. You'll be deployed approximately thirty minutes travel from the mountain range; simply dropping you onto the mountain could prove dangerous for the inhabitants. Good luck, Echo-3."

(Some Time Passes)


The Surgeon's voice sparks to life once more. "Now entering North 13, West 6. Kolistt Mountain Range. Sector J. Engaging ICARUS-Drop Protocol."

The armored panel opens up as a rush of wind blasts through the maglocks holding your mech on the ship. Your mechs are violently ejected with a bit of weight added on: a metal box encapsulating each leg of your mechs. "Altitude: 10,000. 5,000. 2,500. Activating subsidiary thrusters." The boxes release, as multiple impact boosters grind your descent to a halt before a THUMP landing on the crag below."

"Activating Combat Mode."
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
in the Diary of Jane





 
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