From Russia with love (pre-mission event)

[srwu_npc]

[1]
Welcome to the ц-04 Frontline Supply Base. It's on Kamchatka, which means the surroundings are very cold, very Russian, and possibly BETA-infested. Why are you here?

Argos Flight is going to test an anti-BETA weapon in this inhospitable environment, and parts of Unity Group were dispatched too, in case something goes wrong.


"Unity Group. I am Lt Colonel Fikatsia Latrova, commander of the 211 Batallion Zhar. When the railgun test begins, it will be my Battalion's duty to lure the BETA in and keep them at bay while the weapon is being fired."

Say hello to the woman in charge? Or perhaps her subordinates - eishi of Batallion Zhar look young on average, and very unhappy to see you here. Several spit and leave at your sight (not while Latrova is watching of course), others mutter between themselves in Russian. Not the warmest of greetings.

[2]
That's for foreigners, but what about other Russians?

Batallion Zhar treats them no better. As a matter of fact, Inia and Cryska, the Scarlet Twins, are right there!

And they are being accosted by over a dozen of local pilots, who surround them, nasty intents clear from their expressions.


"Stay back! I will bleed dry the first dog who tries to... ugh!"

"Cryska!"

Worst time ever for the older of the two to suffer from a psychic headache.

[3 - mostly for Yuuya]
Day after the enjoyment from prompts above, it's time to proceed with the test!


"This is the EML-99X Electromagnetic Induction Launcher." Yui presents the anti-BETA railgun to Yuuya.

"Should something happen... I am not saying it will, but if something bad happens, abandon the weapon and retreat to safety, do you understand? Make sure it's destroyed, so no one can steal it and copy the design."

It seems she doesn't trust the hosts much...

Soon enough, first signs of BETA are detected and Zhar is dispatched to box them in. Everything proceeds as planned and the weapon is ready to fire, but...


"..."

"Something's wrong!"

Comments

2

[a_louse]

[Click. That's the sound of sunglasses being taken off somewhere to the side.]

These ladies obviously do not want to be bothered. I suggest you obey their wishes.

[srwu_npc2]

"This is Motherland business!" Well, you got their attention Roger. The hostile pilots turn around to face you instead.

"Americans think they can stick their nose anywhere. Get lost or you get taught a lesson too!"

[a_louse]

I am not a citizen of the United States, but that's just on the side. Say what you want, but this is my business too; we can either handle this like civilized people, through talking, or we can do it the way where you end in pain on the ground.

[srwu_npc2]

"You like to talk too much, it looks like!" While the ringleader talks from one side, several pilots leap at Roger from the other. A dastardly sneak attack.

[a_louse]

Here, catch!

[Roger throws a metal ball to the first of the attackers as soon as they move in! What is this? The mystery is solved immediately, as he pulls out a remote and presses its button, causing the ball to zap the group of attackers with electric shocks.]

I am a negotiator, talking is my job. And your job should be piloting, not assaulting women.

[srwu_npc2]

"Aghaghaghagha..."

The attackers fall down with a series of grunts. But watch out Roger, another one tries to flank you with a heavy wrench in his hand!

And he's almost immobilized mid-leap as someone walks into the hangar.


"What is going on here?! Stop it, right now!"

[a_louse]

[Roger takes a step back, in a defensive boxing stance. But it seems that won't be necessary.]

Good timing.

[srwu_npc2]

"Get out, on the double. I will talk to everyone personally!"

Latrova yells harsh Russian words at her soldiers, who quickly leave.

"I am sorry that they bothered you."

[a_louse]

It's not about me. It's about these two girls, and what they wanted to do with them.

[Roger approaches the silver-hairs to make sure they're fine.]

Those were the least professional soldiers I have met. And that's saying a lot.

[srwu_npc2]

"Everyone cracks under pressure. I will make sure no one cracks in this way however."


"Urgh..."
Cryska still nurses her headache, but she gives Roger a hostile look that says it all - she'd stab him right now if she could.
As for Inia, she just clings to the former desperately like if her life depended on it.

[a_louse]

Don't worry, they are gone, and I'm not going to do anything to you. You are free to go.

[Trying to kill Roger with her mind? Yup, looks like both of them are fine. Roger turns towards the soldiers' commander again.]

There's a difference between cracking and falling apart, and this. What did these girls even do to them?

[srwu_npc2]

"You're not going to like this, and I cannot blame you."

"They are Russian."

[a_louse]

That's a very big prejudice, considering we're in Russia...

Why do they hate Russians so much?

[srwu_npc2]

"Members of Batallion Zhar are not Russian. They are from neighbouring countries such as Georgia, who fled here from BETA. Russia allowed them to seek refuge, but forced them into conscription and treats them as second class citizens."

[a_louse]

So they're driven by a desire for vengeance. A misguided desire; they won't improve their situation by lashing out at every Russian they meet.

The way the government exploits them is despicable, however.

[srwu_npc2]

"Yes. Everything you just said is true."

[a_louse]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[srwu_npc2]

"Minimize incidents and leave as soon as you're done with the weapons test."

"I know how it sounds, but unless you can make BETA disappear overnight, nothing else is going to help."

[a_louse]

I am a negotiator. Starting new incidents is the opposite of my job description.

I'm just here to check how the rest of Unity Group is doing, in person. I'll probably be gone before the experiment is done. But I have some contact with the bigwigs of ESUN; I could tell them about your situation, if you think that would help.