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?

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.

[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.)

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]

[star_of_sad]

Yes, that's correct.

[Setsuko sees some internal struggle here. But she decides not to press.]

I am sure you will do a good job.

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]

Well that goes without saying. Mistakes in testing are paid for one way or another and I don't want to see that price paid again. [Uncomfortable with the memories that are coming to the fore Yuuya quickly looks for a change of subject. Noticing Setsuko wince at a loud noise Yuuya takes that heading.]

You seem to be a little out of it, have a late night? I think I have something that could help here. [He reaches into his cockpit and opens a small case from which he pulls a hypo-syringe] TSF piloting gets a little intense even with the suit, we keep a few simple drugs on hand to help with those effects. This one is a mix of some simple painkillers and anti-nausea medication, it may cause some minor insomnia but it's early so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

[He offers the medication to Setsuko]

[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.

[star_of_sad]

Ah!

[Great, needles. Just what Setsuko needed.]

No, I am fine, really. Besides, you may need that for later... but thank you.

What do you mean, again?

[tiger_ken]

[More twitching!]

There's a difference between being 'scared', and knowing you're flawed. Knowing which is which will probably be useful for you to figure out.

[Ken says as he clenches a fist.]

Hell, I probably am beneath you in terms of piloting skill. But you know what? Here, given what we'll be dealing with? Doesn't mean a damn thing until you actually get out there.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya has to suppress a snort of laughter and a wince at Setsuko's reaction. Apparently he'd stepped on one of her sore spots in trying to get away from his.]

I've seen pilots who made mistakes in safe circumstances that lead to disastrous consequences. There is an inherent level of risk to the job after all and nobody lives forever.

[It's an evasive answer but something about it that seems more real to Yuuya than just a standard disclaimer.]

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya's face turns serious as he begins to reply]

I'm perfectly aware that I'm flawed. I've survived a few crashes in tests that were near things and I've worked hard to hone my skills. [his face begins to twist into a smirk as he continues] I am surprised to hear one of the Japanese talk like you're taking responsibility for yourselves, though if you really felt that way you would have introduced yourself.

Throughout history you've shown yourselves as being underhanded in your methods while rushing for others to fix things for you and bemoaning it as "fate" or "duty" for any hardships that you couldn't get someone to clean up for you. Don't worry though, I *actually* take pride in my job and I'll make sure I make this unit is the best it can be before it goes to production. I'd hate for one of your people to come back and try to blame me for their own mistakes. I've already had princess Yui preaching at me with her platitudes and proverbs so you'll forgive my lack of patience for yours.

[tiger_ken]

[Twitch.

Twitch.

RED.]

TAKE THAT BACK!

[Without warning, and indeed, with incredible speed, Ken's fist flies forward, square towards Yuuya's face.]

You know nothing if you believe even a single damned word of that, you xenophobic bastard.

[Ken shifts his stance, clearly prepared to continue.]

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya manages to dodge enough to keep from taking the fist directly to the nose but it catches his cheek and headset causing his neck to twist painfully. Turning back to Ken and rubbing his jaw he begins to speak.]

A sucker punch, just what I should have expected from the Japanese. Well if that's what you want I'll show you a real fight.

[With that Yuuya leads in with two right jabs and a left hook aimed at Ken's side.]

As for knowing nothing, I've seen enough to have those opinions proven out thus far. How many American pilots have died keeping the Beta from your shores? How much more are you going to take before you do what we did and actually expel the threat?

[tiger_ken]

Bring it.

[Ken deflects the jabs with a sleight movements of his hand, before raising his open palm to block and catch the left hook. The impact causes him to flinch, but he fights on, spinning around it to try and deliver his right elbow to Yuuya's side.]

You pride yourself over one victory where there are many more to be won! Tell me, how is San Francisco these days?

[ugyuuya]

[Dropping his arm and taking advantage of the armored nature of his suit Yuuya takes the blow to his bicep but even still he can feel the impact bruising the muscle.]

(Just how strong is this guy?)

You mean where we actually killed the thing that did the damage instead of leaving them to fester and breed like you're people have been on Sadogashima? At least we can begin to clean up where you guys just rely on "containment" like cowards!

[Making a grab for the extended arm Yuuya steps in with a body blow and a headbutt intending to drive Ken back and off balance.]

[star_of_sad]

I see. You cannot let your guard down no matter what, even in a supposedly safe situation.

That's the kind of life we live.

[tiger_ken]

NGH!

[The body blow connects, and one can see Ken physically stress from it... But he pushes the pain back down, in order to respond to the oncoming headbutt. It connects, but not with Ken's face - instead, his other hand, having released Yuuya's left, comes around to make the catch. A position from which, by pushing right with his arm, left with his hand, and by driving his leg into Yuuya's, he'll try to throw the test pilot with a spin!]

Yet it wasn't you that broke the Great Black Void! You weren't the ones who stopped the Ebon Corsairs!

[ugyuuya]

[noticing the young woman's tone Yuuya turns back after putting away the medicine and after a moment's thought sighs and turns to talk to her.]

If you've never seen a TSF before I'm certain that you've never met an Eishi before either. [Noting a look of confusion he continues] It's a Japanese term but it's taken to more common use when a TSF pilot needs to differentiate himself from another type of pilot.

Anyways the earliest battles against the BETA were terrible, casualties were huge and personnel died by the thousands, especially among pilots of planes and the lion series pilots who took to the front lines. Even now with all we've learned and adapted the average lifespan of a TSF pilot in his first encounter is 8 minutes, we call it the "eight minutes of death" and the only reason any of us make it past that is because of our wing-mates.

You need to keep sharp but always remember that there's a reason we're all here, I may have just met the rest of Argos flight but if I didn't trust them to watch my back then I wouldn't make it anywhere.

1

[cloningblues]

How long have you been a team, together?

[ugyuuya]

[Unable to stop the sudden sweep Yuuya takes the next best option, he throws his leg out to tie up Ken's free leg to take him down at the same time. Head bouncing off of maintenance grate blood begins to poor from a gash in his forehead as he wraps up to begin brawling on the floor.]

Oh yes, your vaunted "Japanese Heritage" and "Tradition"! Do you know what those ever got me? I'll tell you! A father I never knew, a mother who lived a sad life to an early grave, a family who never wanted me, and a set of features that would forever mark me as one of your pathetic people despite being American! [Each item was offset with it's own heavy blow as Yuuya was more interested in hurting than defending himself. Finally being forced off Yuuya rolls and struggles to his feet as blood flows freely from a split lip and several other cuts but he's still ready to fight.]

You said I didn't know anything but I think I know enough to prove my statements true don't you?

[star_of_sad]

That...

[It was terrible. But something Yuuya said sounded really familiar, and not in a bad way.]

No, you are right. The team is important - I didn't join Glory Stars that long ago either. But if it wasn't for their help and assistance, I would not be standing here now.

[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.