BETA Testing

[ugyuuya]

[1]

[The monitors across the UG bases kick to life with live footage from what appears to be one of the smaller briefing rooms in Alhambra base revealing a 4-person team of varying Nationalities all wearing the same grey and black uniform. The first voice heard is a cheerful one from behind the camera.]

All right that's got it, we're live so get to it guys.

[The Asian-American is the first to speak]

2nd-Leiutenant Yuuya Bridges, Argos test flight, reporting to UG group as ordered.

[The same voice from behind the camera speaks again]

Really Yuuya? That's all you're going to say, at least give them a bit better of an introduction.




Just leave him Vincent, if he's going to be grumpy because of his argument with Lieutenant Takamura then that just gives us more time for introductions. 2nd Lieutenant Tarisa Manandal of the same. I hope to get along well with everyone.

[As Yuuya flushes and begins to turn to speak again when he is cut off by the other male member of his flight]




[He drops his hand's on Tarisa's shoulders and gives her a playful shake as he speaks]

Don't make fun of our lead's delicate sensibilities there chobi, you weren't much better when you started with us either. [Turning to the camera he continues] I'm Valerio Giacosa, VG for short and I'm Argos 3. I hope to get along well with everyone but especially the lovely ladies of this new group to whom I think it would be incredibly unfair to deny the joy of my company...



Put a sock in it Macaroni! We haven't even been here for 3 hours yet and you're already trying to pick up every woman on base! Well I guess we can't expect anything more from a greasy playboy like yourself but please don't try to hijack the introductions!


Speaking of introductions.


Ah, and Venus graces us with her most beauteous voice


[Ignoring the jibe the blonde woman continues]

I'm 2nd Lieutenant Stella Bremer. I'm Argos 4 and I do hope you'll forgive the rather rambunctious nature of my comrades. They're animated but honestly quite harmless.

[As Stella smiles serenely Yuuya sighs and shakes his head before speaking.]




And this is exactly why I was against this idea Vincent. I'm sure Princess Yui is going to *LOVE* what this turned into when she sees it.

[With that the camera begins to pan a little unusually as it approaches Yuuya and then sweeps right to Tarisa and VG arguing while Stella stands to the side her hand covering a grin as she watches her team-mates bicker before cutting off.]

(Argos Flight can be reached by comm or will be around Alhambra to be tagged)

[2]



[As you walk through the hangers you hear an angry shout. As you turn to look you see a young Japanese woman walking away with a clipboard and Yuuya in his piloting suit looking particularly upset. As the woman exits the hanger Yuuya rounds on the machine he's standing next to and throws his fist into it with enough force for the impact to resound. From his lack of reaction you can assume it is at least somewhat hardened to impact though he looks up at your approach and speaks in a seething tone.]

Did you need something or are you just here to criticize my performance like Lt. Takamura?

Comments

2

[star_of_sad]

No! No, it's nothing of this sort.

[Setsuko was curious about the new machines, though that loud noise didn't do her headache any favors. How did she end up with it anyway?]

I am just here to say hello. That's all.

Re: 2

[ugyuuya]

[Seeing the young woman taken aback Yuuya takes a moment to visibly reign himself in before continuing, he was mad at Yui and her unreasonable blame for her over-sensitive machine's shortcomings. Taking it out on this young woman seems like kicking a puppy somehow to him.]

Hello, I'm 2nd Lieutenant Bridges as I'm assuming you knew from the farce of an introduction that Vincent had us do. I'm... sorry [the word seems difficult for the young man to say], for startling you... ?

[star_of_sad]

Please don't mind me.

Yes, I saw the introduction. I'm 2nd Lt Setsuko Ohara, with the Glory Stars test team.

[She looks up at the machine behind the both of you.]

That is a TSF, isn't it?

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya tries to control s twinge in his face as he turns to the unit behind him.]

Yes, this is the XJF-01. It's still in development so it's got it's share of problems *like it's developer*[Yuuya injects under his breath] but as a test pilot I'm going to make sure that it's the best it can be by the time it makes it to production. I don't want anyone dying because of a machine fault in a unit I tested, though I'm sure I don't have to say that to another test pilot.

You're in the Virgola unit correct? (I'm not going to get caught off-guard again like I did with the Scarlet twins. Don't want to wind up in a cell again.)

2

[tiger_ken]

Considering I had to learn how to pilot within my first mission, I doubt I'm in any position to give critique.

Although, I don't think hitting a unit is going to help either.

Re: 2

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya's eyes narrowed at the criticism]

Well at least a rookie can recognize not to talk back to a test pilot. As for hitting it, I used to have to hit the alternator in the car I learned to drive with a wrench in to make it start properly. If it'd work for that hunk of junk I figured it just might help this one, not that it's any of your business.

[Yuuya keeps a challenging look on his face as if daring the other pilot to say something else]

Re: 2

[tiger_ken]

[Slight twitch, well done.]

Would've thought a 'test pilot' could come up with something more convincing... maybe it'll come when you've actually seen combat. Wonder if you'll have to face Arm Slaves, or Decepticons, like I did...

[His tone rises with his chest slightly with pride, casting the unknown male a glance.]

Got a name?

[ugyuuya]

[Twitching in response Yuuya begins to speak]

Well for someone who is so great you sure don't pay much attention to base broadcasts. I'm 2nd Lieutenant Yuuya Bridges of the Argos test flight. I also thought that you Japanese considered it *polite* to introduce yourselves first, though I guess I shouldn't expect too much.

If you're so quick to brag why don't you put your money where your mouth is and we'll see who has the advantage. We've got plenty of space outside and I am here to field test this new machine. Though you do seem a little scared to pilot so I guess I should respect your more delicate sensibilities and let you off.

1

[cloningblues]

How long have you been a team, together?

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya turns to the comm and pauses for a moment thinking]

I joined the unit around three weeks ago and the others have been here for several months working on other trials. The Argos flight may be new but we're confident in our skills.

[cloningblues]

I see. Sounds like all new teams are pretty similar, then.

[Nevermind that his own team has known each other for a while.]

[ugyuuya]

Well don't let this grump give you a bad impression. He and Stella won a mock battle by baiting out Chobi over here only about 3 hours after we met him for the first time. Trust is the important thing that you have to remember.

[VG accompanied his anecdote by putting Yuuya in a light head lock while Tarisa continued to fume and Stella laughed in the background.]

[a_linear_mind]

A full TSF test flight huh.

[Willis will approach the team in the hangar.]

Here I thought that all of the test teams were in Alaska.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya being closest looks up from the data sheet he was discussing with Vincent and after passing it back with a nod he approaches the pilot]

Well it depends on the flight really. Most UN multinational flights are out of Yukon while America uses Groom Lake and Japan has a flight out of Yokohama. It was more a matter of "Which team has to go?" and we were the newest. I'm just glad that we're out of the cold down here, the suits aren't bad but when it gets that cold they don't help as much as you'd think.

I'm surprised you actually knew about that. Most TSF units are specifically anti-BETA and don't mingle much with other mobile suit teams. That's one of the things the XFJ plan has been amended to address with this re-assignment.

[a_linear_mind]

I try to be caught up with most machines. You also hear a lot of things as a merc. I've unfortunately also had the pleasure of assisting with an anti-BETA operation once.

Rough things those are, I don't envy you guys...well I do envy some things. One of those things being those suits in the cold.

[ugyuuya]

[Before Yuuya can respond a voice comes from behind him carrying a tone that puts Yuuya on edge.]

Oh and why-ever would that be. It's not as if you'd take advantage of a poor defenseless woman for wearing a specially customized suit in conditions that said suit was obviously not designed for. Would you mister...?

[Stella's grin seems amused with just a hint of predatory gleam in her eye. Tarisa glances down before glaring at the newcomer and VG gives two thumbs up. Yuuya can only sigh as Stella uses his arm for a prop to emphasize certain assets the pilot was gifted with.]

2

[gravitons]

[Seeing as Shu didn't intend to cause a commotion or anything after the broadcast, he didn't reply to it.

However, seeing Yuuya aggravated like that makes him stop as he's passing by.]

It's been some time since I have seen a TSF in person, that is all.

Lt. Takamura would be the woman who just left, I presume?

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya takes in the unusual newcomer with a critical eye before speaking.]

Yes that was the wise and most benevolent pricess Yui come down to grace this poor pilot with her incomprehensible wisdom.

[Taking a moment to reign in his temper he remembers one of the particular notes in the personnel overviews he was given for the only person who had a photo attached.]

Wait, how would you remember if it's been some time since you last saw a TSF, didn't you lose your memory?

[Realizing what he had just pondered aloud Yuuya quickly shut up and tried to think of a suitable cover for his comment.]

[gravitons]

You are rather well informed for a newcomer.

Yes, my memory is not as I would like it to be, but certain knowledge remains intact.

I can still tell a mobile suit apart from this machine, for instance.

1

[way_of_vengeance]

Ah...So we're getting Valkyrie pilots now, too...and they brought those suits with them too, the low-profile armor that bares everything to the world...


Do not worry, mistress. I am sure they'll have one in your size. Though, one must question the wisdom of using such a thing if you already have armor of your own. Perhaps it could fulfill some perverted fantasy?


Ahaha, what are you trying to suggest?

[ugyuuya]

[VG checks the notes that Willis passed along to him and nods that he's in the right place. He notices Kanae with her maid and turns back to his team.]

Well guys I heard there was a great restaurant around here but I can't quite remember the last step that I was told that I forgot to write down. Perhaps we should just ask someone?

[Feigning ignorance] Excuse me young lady, could you perhaps tell us if there is a good restaurant nearby? I'm trying to get used to the area and was told it was nearby and can't find it. Assuming you're not busy I would be happy for you to join us as well.

[Yuuya looks over Kanae and then towards VG and his facial expression shifts towards a frown. Stella looks startled but greets Kanae with a large smile and Tarisa begins to stomp towards VG to get a better look at the "directions" that VG wrote down]

[way_of_vengeance]

Oh, certainly. Did you have a place in mind, or would you like recommendations?

[Kanae and Sayo appear to remain blissfully unaware of the special attentions going on.]

2)

[break_the_nine]

Don't worry about it, I know enough about having angry women criticize you for doing terribly.

Mine carries a clipboard too! Though usually I get dragged off to hear a bunch of old coots tell me off as well.

Ugh... old people smell.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya just looks at the young man addressing him with an expression of confusion before speaking.]

I wouldn't say that I'm doing terribly since this is a brand new machine and this is supposed to be where the bugs get shaken out and it's prepared for mass production. She just needs to get off her high horse and realize that the pilot is fine and the machine is the hunk of junk that isn't working properly.

[Yuuya's face becomes a mixture of memory, anger, and just a hint of sadness.]

As for old people and yelling I hate that more than I do the Lieutenant's stubborn pride.

[break_the_nine]

Well maybe you could stick her into the robot and see how well she does! Bet it might make her stop complaining right? Riiiight?

I don't know how the military works much aside from having people up top point at things and other people kill everything where they've been pointed. So I dunno if you'll get in trouble or not.

[He shrugs.]

I hate being yelled at. I mean I'm doing my best, and its not like I trained for fights.