Rising Flags

[ugyuuya]

[1]

[Yuuya and the Argos flight have been scarce for UG group functions outside their required duties and today is the day it's revealed why as they announce the Blue Flag excercises out of the Yukon base. Several flights have made their presence known from around the world including the Bao Feng flight from China and the Infinities from the United States. As the festivities begin to kick off the units are on display parked in formation and the flights are welcoming guests and providing photo ops, including a rather tired looking Yuuya who seems on edge.]


[2]

[The mock battles aren't the only reason for so much excitement at the Yukon base either. There's a big ceremony going on concerning a new "fast-response" brand of machine finally getting the clear for combat usage too. Although not taking part in the mock battles, exhibitions to display the machines' capabilities are scheduled. Before long those displays begin, the "Breaker" models taking to the sky to show off their maneuverability and speed... announces and various individuals involved with the program talking abut the breakthrough "RE Drive", a scientific marvel discovered by someone outside of the ESUN who nevertheless provided them with the details of creating them. But duing one display, several Breakers engaging in complicated maneuvers with each other, someone speaks up nearby you.]



You know what's funny? Up until about two weeks ago they were still trying to fix the defects in their fancy systems. I'm willing to bet any of the project heads are still sweating bullets and praying that there aren't any more gremlins biding their time.


[3]

[And the Mock Battles begin! Knowing that the Unity Group has been working with TSF test flights for several operations and that they may want to participate as well there are training weapons available in a wide range of forms and functions. For those with mecha less capable of using the pain equipment there are also several production units capable of using them available for use by anyone with proper piloting credentials.]

Comments

2)

[not_a_prize]

...That's stupid!

[That was Peola's reply to that, almost coughing up her drink.]

If they could possibly be a danger they shouldn't even be out there! What if they crash or explode?!

[whats_a_good_end]

Well, they should be fine. The really serious defects were taken care of long before, just the minor stuff left over.

... But still, that's what deadlines set by bureaucrats do to you.

[not_a_prize]

Ugh... it better be minor. I've had enough disasters lately.

[Peola sighs roughly.]

You sound like you know a lot about these things.

[whats_a_good_end]

Part of the development team. Had my fair share of crashes with them.

[And it's then that she holds up her right hand, removing a glove. It's cybernetic.]

Lost this in one of them a long while back. Still not cleared to pilot again, but I was still brought along. The development team at least tries to take care of its own. What's left of them anyways.

[not_a_prize]

[She winces at the sight of the arm, yeah that was kind of shocking to say the least.]

Ah...

[This got awkward fast, Peola wasn't sure what to say here.]

...Does it still hurt?

[whats_a_good_end]

... In some ways, yeah. But it's what I signed up for. It's what everyone signed up for, knowing the dangers.

[And then she looks up as one of the Breakers soars overhead.]

And it was definitely well worth the effort. I mean, just look at them.

[not_a_prize]

[Peola nods at this. The Test Pilot wasn't a soldier per se but she was still damn brave for helping pave the way for the ones that would be fighting with the Breakers, that definitely merited respect.]

There's something about watching your hard work pay off isn't there?

[whats_a_good_end]

Definitely!

Especially when the trip here is all-expenses paid and don't even need to really do much of anything. It's a chance to just sit back and take it easy!

1

[caressthedarkness]

[All those cameras mean that the zone close to the TSF teams are as big a no-go to Seta as planes flying in an airspace with the presence of Laser-class baters.

But Yuuya, if you look off to your side, you can clearly see the derpy, and currently bespectacled Kijin waving at you. She's not asking you to come over, instead, it's more of a wave to get your attention, as well as the entirety of Argos Flight.

By her feet are large white cardboard pieces, cut out to form squares.]

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya pauses and looks at Seta speculatively as she waves wondering what the pieces of cardboard are for. In a lull between he points out Seta to the others and cocks his head with obvious curiosity.]

[caressthedarkness]

[Well, there are words written on those cardboard pieces. Complete with smileys.

Seta arranges them in order, and despite fumbling a little, manages to get it just right. The first one reads:]

It may be tough, but please

[And she puts it down to raise the second.]

Hang in there, and give it your all

[This is repeated for the third.]

Do not give up

[The fourth and final card has words that are much larger than the rest, and Seta raises it with as much gusto as one can manage when...lifting a cardboard piece.]

Go, go! Argos...FIGHT!

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya snaps off a quick salute with a smile towards Seta as the rest of the unit turns back to the gathering crowds his mood apparently improved.]

[caressthedarkness]

Ow...!

[Trying to return the salute causes Seta to hit her own forehead. That could have gone better, but at least the message got across!]

1

[star_of_sad]

Looks like you've been very busy recently, Yuuya. If it's not one thing, then another.


Look at all those TSF teams from all over the world! I wonder how strong they are.

[ugyuuya]

It's been a time getting everything all setup and ready for so many people and TSFs to arrive here for the trials. The development cycle and politics behind it have made this a bit of a nightmare and we even have the American sponsors from Boening here in person beyond normal staff to aid in development. One of them keeps giving me some unusual looks and I hear he was the one most interested in having me pilot in this program.

As for the teams involved I know that the Bao Feng test flight is rather difficult to face and should be one of our early matches. They were at Kamchatka and handled themselves well in the trials there. The Scarlet Twins are obviously a team to watch as well but I'm most worried about the Infinities. Leon and Sharon are good pilots and I know what the F-22 Raptor was capable of even early in its development. It's almost complete now with the final adjustments being run before production begins in earnest so I'm sure it will be even more of a challenge than it was to go against back then.

[star_of_sad]

Ah.

[Is that all Setsuko has to say as a response to this flood of new information?]


You have some real insider info right there, Yuuya. I swear, it's like you were involved with F-22's development yourself!

[ugyuuya]

Well that's something that is a little touchy to talk about with the standard classification of information between different forces. I did serve at Groom Lake before being placed on administrative leave and being re-assigned to Yukon and the Argos flight.

[Yuuya's face falls as he sees a team of American pilots walk past, the woman in the group seems to recognize him and make a small wave but they did not stop to chat.]

I think they'll be the hardest fight for more than one reason.

[star_of_sad]

That reason being?

[ugyuuya]

Something that Leon still holds against me if that look on his face is any indication. It's... difficult, to talk about and the records of what happened are still sealed so I can't go into a lot of detail.

It's part of why I was placed on said administrative leave leading to re-assignment and the replacement of two pilots in the F-22 test program.

[Yuuya seems to follow the American's for a moment more before turning back towards his position.]

I'm sorry to be a bit short about this but this really isn't the place to talk about this. Ask again later and I'll say more but this is supposed to be a festive event.

[glorystargo]

You're going to be so mysterious and then leave us hanging, Yuuya? Come on.


No, he's right Toby. This is no place to talk about such things... perhaps later, okay?

2

[ben_dixon]

Oh, are you talking to me, Ma'am?

[whats_a_good_end]

Sure am.

... That outfit means you're party of the UN Spacey, right?

[ben_dixon]

I sure am. It's just usually pretty girls don't just start up a conversation with me like that.

3

[gold_four]

Let's see you try and keep up!

[Ataru's in high spirits, engaging in what can be roughly described as a sniper contest. With paint rounds, of course, but it doesn't make Team Rabbit's man at range any less capable. Gold Four is camped up behind cover, picking off practice targets before they come anywhere near him. Dude probably feels on top of the world like this.]

1

[cloningblues]

It's not easy putting on a show for the public, huh.

[Captain Stage Fright is obviously talking from personal experience.]

[ugyuuya]

Less challenging than keeping alive against the BETA. So long as nobody decides that taking a swing at me might get them into the program in my place.

[cloningblues]

Technically you're right...

But when I know a large crowds will be watching me, I feel worse than before a big battle. Even though the latter is way more dangerous.