Another Fine Mess

[srwjunker]

[1] Unity Group Base Hanger some weeks ago.

Russel looked up up at the newly arrived test machines from the Halloween Project. The new mark of the Gespenst's were impressive he could see the hard points for the various load outs the personal troopers could use and watched some the techs continue to unload the crates carrying the new mode parts. The amount of flexibility this would the machine was high he thought. Even more importantly it would save money given all the rolls it could fill with it's modular load-outs.

"Quite the bit of work. The real question now is the field testing ... with these new Gespensts."

[2] Just after the Announcement

Russel was in the mess-hall going over paper work while he munched on his lunch. Given his experience as a pilot already he often was in on reviewing some of the data on candidates for the Unity group. Given his experience in the Divine war it was useful for some of his superiors to have him help with eyeballing possible recruits for the growing organization. Even if the were elites they would also need others who could hold ground or cover more ground. Numbers always factored into things eventually.

"Lets see here, so we're officially in business now? Well this is certainly going to be a change of pace."

Comments

1

[a_linear_mind]

So this is what Gespensts look like nowadays. It's pretty impressive.

Re: 1

[srwjunker]

Russel looks over his shoulder at the speaker for a second.

"The Gespenst MkII Kai, it hopefully should be a impressive improvement over the MkII. More power and more importantly more survivability for the pilot."

[a_linear_mind]

MkII Kai? Wow I didn't even realize development has gone that far.

[srwjunker]

"It has, a new reactor, modular hard point to let the load outs be swapped, it's quite the bit of work. It's seeming to be going well so far. The real testing will be when I get it into the field for the first time and into some live combat. Also good to meet you, I'm Russel Bagman."

[a_linear_mind]

I'll look forward to seeing it in action then...oh right uh Willis Clades.

[He offers a hand.]

I used to pilot a Gespenst way back in the day. I'm glad the line is still going.

2

[star_of_sad]

I suppose it is.

[A girl in a uniform walks in.]

Ah, my apologies. Mr... Bagman, was it? I am Setsuko Ohara from the Glory Stars. My teammates said you should know who they are.

Re: 2

[srwjunker]

Russel looks up from his paper work and food at Setsuko.

"I know the Glory Stars, I haven't had a chance to meet you. So your the third pilot in the test unit, I take it. Are you getting settled in all right here Miss Ohara?"

[star_of_sad]

Yes. That is me - and I am doing fine. Everyone seems helpful enough.

[A second of hesitation, but finally Setsuko adds:]

Your squadron saw action during the Divine Crusaders conflict, didn't it mr Bagman?

[srwjunker]

"Yes it did, we saw quite a lot of it to be honest. Octo was lucky we didn't lose anyone in all of the fighting. Food's still pretty good, how are you liking it?"

[star_of_sad]

The cheesecake... I mean, the food was very good!

Anyway, I came here with a request from my team mates, if it is alright.

2

[keep_your_dignity]

[A huge robot approaches, turning all the heads in the mess hall, with a box of folders under its arm. The GRAVEYARD insignias denote it as being Executor made. Its stops in front of the table]

YOU ARE LIEUTENANT BAGMAN. CORRECT?

[The voice is mechanical and lacking in inflection, clearly an artificial synthesizer]

Re: 2

[srwjunker]

Russel has run into many things in his life as a pilot. Katina, the Divine Crusade and even the odd alien attack. A robot getting about on it's own? Not so much.

Russel looks at the robot and nods once at robot.

"I am, is there something I can help you with?"

[keep_your_dignity]

I WAS THINKING THE REVERSE. YOU ARE ANOTHER ONE OF THE UNLUCKY BASTARDS ROPED INTO PAPERWORK. CORRECT?

[Kagura drops the box of folders onto the table unceremoniously with a *thud*]

I HAVE BEEN MAKING HEADWAY WITH IT. FIGURED YOU WOULD PREFER THE ORGANIZED FILES I'VE BEEN MAKING FOR MYSELF TO THE CLSTERFUCK OF PROFILES THEY GAVE US.

[srwjunker]

"It's a living and paper work is less dangerous to one's health. That's about it's only upside, I have found."

He looks the robot over again and watches the box of folders that the robot's having to go through.

"They couldn't even be bothered to scan most of it, I wonder why it would take up less space."

Printouts had their uses but everything in hardcopy forever? They might be able to use it in some weaponized fashion, or so Russel mused.

"Any help at organization would be welcome. Might I also ask? What's your name?"

[keep_your_dignity]

KAGURA. MAJOR FOR THE EXECUTOR GRAVEYARD. [Gee, that's reassuring. Because it's not like rumors make those guys to be some sort of paranoid Area-51 weirdos or anything. Oh wait, they totally do.]

1

[3xmadder]

Dibs on the frame with the chest blaster.

[Of course Katina's standing next to Russel, watching the Mark II Kais with rapt attention, and inspecting the fresh coat of red paint on one of them intently.]

I mean, I'm gonna try 'em all, of course, but that's what I'm starting with.

Re: 1

[srwjunker]

Russel had likely ordered the red paint the moment he caught wind of the new models arrival to the base.

"If you didn't want to try to pilot a machine, I'd be worried."

[3xmadder]

And if you didn't worry about stupid stuff, I'd be worried.

[She nods, looking over the Gespensts carefully.]

Actually, the only weird thing here is they keep sending us Gespensts in the first place. I thought we were supposed to be converting to AMs or Huckebeins or something.

[srwjunker]

"I'm going to blame the Major for this. I don't think he'd let them just utterly stamp out the Gespenst and let's be honest? The Lion series is intend to switch over jet pilots and green recruits into things that are not death traps like the Genoace. It still bothers me a police mech is being dragged onto front line duty..."

1/2

[3xmadder]

Kai or Gilliam?

[She makes a waving motion before Russel can answer.]

Rhetorical question, I'm sure they're both behind it.

2/2

[3xmadder]

[She takes a more serious expression.]

You're right about the damn Genoaces, though. The colonies are kind of a mess right now, huh?

1

[dolorous_sensei]

So this is the new Gespensts? Looks fancy.

Re: 1

[srwjunker]

"They have been overhauled quite a bit, the power output on the new reactors alone is pretty notable I'd admit. Given some of the weapon systems it can power now."

Re: 1

[dolorous_sensei]

I feel bad for pilots of these prototypes. Prototypes are just fancy talk for untested designs that might explode in your face for no warning...

Re: 1

[srwjunker]

"It happens it's part the job. Your machine going up, is one thing. Some of the things the Divine Crusade did. IS a whole other story I'd rather not get into. Needless to say these machines do need to be tested. The prototypes job is to improve things on our mass produced units, to give our comrades a better chance at coming back alive and doing their jobs."