Out of Beta

[ugyuuya]

[1]

[Yuuya stands beside his unit leaning against the rail and looking up at it with a different expression.]

"Well then 94 Second, it looks like we both got jerked around by two countries but we can show them we've got more to prove than they ever expected of us. I think I finally got to grasp what it'll take to pilot you successfully."

[2]

[The Argos flight is leaving a debriefing from the last mission. Tarisa is still spitting fire and VG is placating her in his own style. Yuuya seems more pensive than normal but in a good mood however Stella seems to be just off of normal, almost like she was in part forcing herself.]

[3]




[In a more isolated runway on Alhambra you might catch a Yellow unit made infamous from the training exercise and a pilot in a similarly colored TSF piloting suit. She is looking out at the setting sun and a pocket watch she is holding in her hand. She appears to be thinking about something and will not immediately notice your approach.]

Comments

3

[tiger_ken]

[Ken's efforts to step up his training in the wake of the battle against the BETA wasn't limited solely to the shores of Japan. And indeed, he needed an excuse to familiarise himself with the Alhambra base more, so this fit perfectly. Except for one thing...]

You.

[If her colour scheme and the suit nearby hadn't already given her away, Ken would've known her by her sheer presence.]

A bit far away for a member of the Imperial Guard, no?

[ugyuuya]

I'm currently attached to the army development projects, most notably the XFJ-01 project which is now being housed here. I'll go where the mission demands just like any other soldier.

[tiger_ken]

So was it part of your mission to mess with the heads of your own allies, or do you like wrecking people's machines for the heck of it?

[Ken asks, a clear irritance... that then gives way to begrudging respect.]

You handled yourself fairly well.

[ugyuuya]

My mission is to complete the XFJ-01, if the pilot is incapable then that needs to be corrected and I just followed the best way of teaching that. As for the performance there it is a standard level of skill for Royal Guard pilots.

[tiger_ken]

If I recall correctly, teaching tends to involving actually 'teaching', not bashing someone over the head and expecting them to learn. Sure, it might get results, but it isn't exactly consistent either.

[Ken is starting to wonder if this philosophy is just somehow a thing in giant robot circles, given his parents, Leos' supervisor, and now this woman...

In any case, he throws up his hands.]

Though if that's what works for royal guards these days, I suppose there's nothing I can say to that. I mean, look at me, I'm wearing scrap as weights. You at least get state of the art equipment. Suppose its fitting.

[ugyuuya]

There are as many ways to teach as there are masters and students within this world. If you truly wish to be stronger then your training now is a good thing but your actions in the battle betray your lack of skill. To improve past your limits you need to gauge where they are accurately and work most effectively to expand them. Charging into a superior foe with a damaged unit is not conducive to self improvement. You seem to trust your unit too much and your own skills too little.

Perhaps it was inevitable what happened between you and Lt. Bridges.

[tiger_ken]

What 'happened' between me and the idiot was that he was a bigoted idiot as well. Though, it would appear a reputation precedes me - guess Mizuki was right after all.

[Hard to tell if he's honestly taking his teammate's words into more serious consideration, or just amused they're proving true.]

As to the genoace... yeah, maybe I push it too far. But considering the kind of unit it is, I don't have a lot of leeway on it.

[ugyuuya]

If you would rather pilot something else why not simply mention as such? There are other units to be made available and your track record has been rather poor in that style of unit. Going into combat in a machine you cannot work properly with can cause you to lose your life so should be addressed if possible.

[tiger_ken]

And what pray tell do I use then? A Jenice or Daughtress might as well be the same thing, Arm Slaves would have as many other new restrictions as the ones they'd remove, and anything better would be just... too valuable, to waste on a newbie like myself!

[Ken is painfully aware of his flaws, at least when he's not actively swept up in them.]

I need a unit that... not only is it strong, but it can move. Far as I want to take it. Far as I dare push it. Something like Mizuki or Raquel, if such were possible...

[ugyuuya]

Then why not ask? Surely Raquel followed some course to get where she is now and she could help you reach the same place. Perhaps there could be a similar unit that was put into storage, did you ever think to ask that? Most custom trials will run multiple units through their development and perhaps that one is no different?

Also if you feel you are having issues with your own skills then study and train harder but most importantly of all, avail yourself of those who have the skills you desire and ask them to teach you.

[tiger_ken]

Her's is a modified... what's the name...

[Some of his irritation may be affecting his thinking, before he finally figures out the answer.]

Huckebein! Right... Maybe there's a second version or something out there, but I doubt it. The way she goes on about her mother, and her abilities, it would seem strange...

[Though, at the remark on how to acquire the skills he desires...]

That's... harder than you'd think. Not many really know it even exists, and the only people who really know what I'm after... are either gone, or want me dead.

[ugyuuya]

Is there no basic level of the skills you could learn from another before perfecting your own unique arts? Surely working up from a basic understanding of how to control your energies as taught by one who had done so would make the rest of your work that much easier?

Even if you cannot master your more esoteric abilities as quickly at least the basic enhancement and coaching in piloting skills would be worthwhile. The answer to question you never ask will always be no.

[tiger_ken]

I don't think its really as simple as you make it out to be...

[And this is after Yui gave a rather basic set of instructions, pretty broad too.]

Though if you're that concerned, maybe you could show me a thing or two?

[ugyuuya]

My skills are more suited towards a TSF and their piloting peculiarities but if I have time away from my work on the project I would not be opposed to taking some of that to assist with building up some of your practice skills.

As for the oversimplification of your situation that may be true in part but can you not talk to the others at least? Sara, Mizuki, and Raquel are all concerned about you on at least some level. I know the first two will readily do what they can to help and sometimes having a goal is something to help you push ahead. I know that my own rival helped my growth as a pilot immensely before her passing. Take advantage of the opportunities and people you have with you while you can. A lot can happen in even a time as short as eight minutes to take that away from you.

[Yui's face seems to settle into an unusually neutral mask as she begins to turn back to her unit.]

[tiger_ken]

And there you go doing it again...

[This time Ken won't even explain, just chuckling to himself.]

If you have the time then. Though two things.

[He turns to go away, raising two fingers.]

1) No more ambushes, or I start doing it back. 2) Find something decent to wear.

[And with that, he runs off, his impression of the young woman having picked rather quickly.]

[ugyuuya]

I'll have you know this is a standard issue TSF suit designed to protect the pilot from the increased G forces of piloting these units! There is nothing inappropriate about it!

[The blush on her face is not quite luminescent as she yells after Ken's retreating form.]