Changing Tune

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya stands in his regular uniform on the catwalk looking up at the Shiranui Second with a troubled look on his face. It seems something has him displeased and he's come here to try to puzzle it out.]




It bothers you doesn't it, your low scores on the test missions? [Vincent gives a slight wave as Yuuya is shaken from his reverie.]

I'll be the first to vouch that you're a top-class pilot in an American TSF but if tuned and built the Shiranui Second like that then the Japanese pilots would be having the same problem you are.

American TSFs are built to be straightforward, you tell it to go here and the machine does it, direct action to reaction. A Japanese pilot will use the shape of the frame to his advantage, let the angle of the sensor mast make small course corrections or use the knife sheathe to generate lift and turn a horizontal cut into a diagonal slash.




So that's what she meant by "A horse and it's rider are one". Stupid way to go about saying that.



Oh and might that she be Lt. Takamura? You know if you're so interested in getting to know how to "ride" the Shiranui Second maybe you ought to try your luck with her.

[The venom in Yuuya's comeback leaves most of the hanger staff confused but the ones close enough to have overheard are seen trying to stifle or hide laughter.]

All right, all right, I'm sorry, bad joke. But it's probably time that you opened up your eyes a bit more my friend. Yui and Ken aren't all that different from you, what does that mean for the others?

[With that parting shot Vincent leaves and a particularly pensive Yuuya stands looking up at the unit in front of him.]

Comments

[abugslife]

Not all Gebians believe in mutual cooperation and friendship. The Anti-Earthling Party believes we should conquer Earth and enslave its inhabitants, instead. They are driven by feelings of superiority, and contempt towards Earthlings.

Do not go down the same path.

[ugyuuya]

Just because I don't particularly care for a particular group of people isn't going to make me the next conquering dictator or grand master of the Klan.

I really just want to do my job, get the proper recognition for the effort I exert rather than being belittled for something outside my control, and have people leave me alone at this point. I'm not anti-social but it's just been such an awkward situation at this point that I'd just like some time to cool off and get my head back on somewhat straight after Ken knocked it and my neck off-kilter in our little brawl. I figure by the time that's all healed up and blown over it shouldn't be too hard to manage what contact I have to have with them.

[abugslife]

And do you think that every member of the AEF is consumed by hatred? Many of them simply do not like Earthlings that much. Some might even have valid reasons for it.

I know you are not on their level. But I am warning you not to fall down the slippery slope. It is easier than you might think.

[ugyuuya]

[Looking up at Hetepheres Yuuya raises a questioning eyebrow before turning his gaze back to his unit.]

The Geb must be a much more logical race than humanity, I wonder if it's a difference in origins or if it's your people's technology and experiences that are the root cause.

I'll take your words under advisement and thank you for your concern. Perhaps Lt. Takamura and Ken were not the best judges of Japanese character given the actions and experiences I've seen and read of the others.

[abugslife]

More logical? Ha. I only wish that were true. You shall find out on your own, sooner or later...

[ugyuuya]

Well that's in part why you're here isn't it. I think it'll actually be nice to go into a fight not completely blind to our enemies intentions or origins. Now I can't promise to not say anything derogatory in the heat of combat but I trust you'll understand that it's not directed towards you if and when that happens. [Yuuya apologizes in advance in part for what he knows he or Tarisa may say or if not them the other hot-heads in the Unity Group.]

[abugslife]

We will see.

If you have any questions about the AEP, ask. It is only a matter of time before they start their invasion.

[ugyuuya]

Really what to expect is the biggest question. I know your unit has a variable force field of some sort, are those common so we'll know if we need to find some alternate weapons for TSF deployment since most of ours have been physical impact based for ease and speed of development or specialized as in the use of AL warheads.

Also will it be small numbers of elite units or are we looking at full scale invasion with standard infantry with elite commanders?

[abugslife]

Normally, Gebian army consists mostly of a small number of elite units, piloted by our best warriors. This is not what we shall face, however; the AEP started manufacturing a large quantity of cheap levy-type units and issuing them to anyone foolish enough to gather under their banner. This is the type of enemy we will face in the largest numbers.

Those levies do not possess Noble Barriers, but commanders and elite guardians do. If all your weapons are solid, it would be wise to find something you can use to fight them when their barriers are in the golden phase; it does not have to be a beam weapon. Even fire or electricity will do.

[ugyuuya]

"Now will a flaming bullet penetrate or would it need to be a directed stream of actual flame to deal the damage? Does the barrier shift in the same pattern at all times or is it somewhat programmable? Does it cover all angles or are there dead areas? Can a melee attack penetrate if it is moving slowly enough as it passes the barrier or is there a way to disrupt/destroy it?"

[Yuuya pauses and looks a little sheepish.]

"Apologies for barraging you with questions, I just prefer to know what I'm going into early so I can plan at least a few contingencies. I already know we're going to have to look for some kind of flame weapons for whatever those zombie mech flesh monsters were."

[abugslife]

Do not apologize; it is good to see someone who's interested enough in those matters to ask all these questions.

To answer them, in order: in the golden phase, the bullet's main body's impact will be absorbed, but the flames will still do damage. The silver phase will do the opposite, of course.
The barrier is not controllable. Once turned on, it shifts phases on its own. There are no blind spots and no way to cheat or disrupt the barrier that I know of. But bear in mind that what it offers is protection, not invincibility; it will not protect fully from an attack with enough force.

[ugyuuya]

I was more apologetic about bombarding so quickly without giving you a chance to answer, it's rather rude by our standards but I do appreciate the answers. Now when you absorbed for impact is that gradual or instant? For example I know a Sabot round would probably be stopped but would an HEAT round still damage through the intervening distance? Same with a standard high explosive round, will those have a noticeable effect?

[abugslife]

A golden barrier will protect against all of those.

[ugyuuya]

Well it seems that TSF deployment will have to be amended in those missions or we will need to work on another form of weapons development since that barrier will exclude the entirety of a TSF's arsenal 50% of the time.

[abugslife]

In the worst case scenario, focus on the enemies who are not currently protected by golden barriers. Waiting is also a part of warfare, after all.

[ugyuuya]

A true statement but one that I have a bit of an issue with. The longer an enemy is active the more likely it is that they'll have a chance to do something to injure or kill someone I'm flying with. Time is a funny thing in battle, from stories I've heard and read as well as my own experience things can turn from controlled to terrible in an instant and even something as simple as eight minutes can be an eternity.

[abugslife]

Then it is up to you to make sure the worst case scenario will not happen.