The request

[srwu_mods]

[Locked, non-interactive.]

"Shit! FightSaber was already lagging behind, and now that my sword is destroyed... I can't save anyone like this! To be able to protect my friends, to do that - I'll need to work hard to get my own, up to date machine."

"Yeah! It's time to do this! I'll show you guys what I can do yet."

[The actual post you can respond to:]

Something's not right with Unity Group bases. Resources distributed towards unit maintenance and repairs trickled to bare necessities, the quality of food served in mess halls took a noticeable hit, even water in the showers is measured now! What the heck is going on? The man responsible for support has the answers.


"Gavin requested a new unit for himself and somehow, the request was approved. The thing is, we're covering expenses related to its construction, and since it's supposed to roll out fast, it's not cheap. I'm cutting costs where I can just so UG stays afloat."

Logistics Specialist Dirchs looks exasperated. Not by this question, but by the situation.

"And before you ask, no I don't like it either. Just hang in there. This is not a permanent setup. It'll pass soon... I hope."

Comments

[actuallyselfish]

"Where's Loni now?" Dido asks, bags under her eyes from a long afternoon of junkyard pile scrounging. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna club him with a wrench. But if someone could talk him into slowing down the construction process...?"

[srwu_mods]

"Who knows? He went off to somewhere as usual. He's not on location, that's for sure."

[actuallyselfish]

"The same with Desta and Ilinka?" Dido asks.

[srwu_mods]

"Seems like it. Those kids weren't really in talkative mood, even without having to answer for Gavin."

[actuallyselfish]

"Fudge-Skittles." Dido swears.

She then strokes her chin in thought. "Say...do we know where this unit's being assembled?"

[srwu_mods]

"Probably at the same place where we got Fight- and ShotSaber from."

[actuallyselfish]

"But if we're bankrolling the materials for construction, can we follow the paper trail and figure out where this thing's being built?"

[srwu_mods]

"Technically yes. But now you have to ask yourself the question: why do something like that, and is it good enough a reason to risk getting caught?"

[actuallyselfish]

Dido rubs the back of her head. "Well...let me lob two questions back at you: don't you think there's something awfully sinister about Loni's mysterious, all-powerful uncle? And wouldn't it save lives and fortunes if, for once, we could spot one of those sudden disasters ahead of time?"

[srwu_mods]

"Are you saying he's behind the Lady's Good Men?"

[actuallyselfish]

"I really don't want to believe that." Dido says hastily. "Because, that would mean he set up an entire evil, city-wrecking cult army to terrorize the world just so his nephew could be a hero?"

She shudders. "No thanks. No, I think this uncle fellow's too practical for that. He's just...milking an existing threat for all it's worth. And if it suits his aims, he'd toss us under the bus in a jiffy."

[tillallareone]

Commander Antov.

[Hey its Optimus Prime, here for another impromptu visit to the commander. There's been little seen of the Autobots what with the construction of Autobot City underway... but in any case their leader made the time to drop by.]

I was informed of the logistical situation by Red Alert. If needs be I would be able to transfer some supplies from Autobot City to supplement the Unity Group.

It won't be much without causing issues at the moment... but I hope it would be enough to ease the burdens of everyone here somewhat.

[srwu_mods]

"Ah, Optimus Prime! Can I... help you?" Roland is both surprised and rather uneasy, expecting unhappy people at his door - but not exactly the Autobot leader.

"I see. This will help a lot, I won't lie. Are you really going to be alright with this though? Autobot City entered construction not too long ago and it must be a big drain on resources itself."

[majestic_keiki]

So happy to know that our funding is in safe, responsible hands. Isn't there any kind of safeguards against this kind of abuse?

[srwu_mods]

"I'm sure you noticed, but Gavin isn't exactly an ordinary member of Unity Group. Hell, he's not even a member in the first place - but we still have to dance to his tune."

"Well. The Commander could've vetoed him, but..."

[majestic_keiki]

I know. I'd just hoped that whoever in the ESUN signed off on this group had taken care to put some blocks against things like that in place. Don't any countries care where their tax money is going?

[srwu_mods]

"As long as there are results..." Dirchs pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Our sponsors are actually happy with what we're doing. Including letting Gavin run around, do whatever the hell he wants, it seems."

[majestic_keiki]

And they don't think there will be any negative impact on success if we're starved for resources to meet his whims?

[srwu_mods]

"If there will be, at least that'll give us an excuse to stop letting him get away with everything."

"For an important organisation like Unity Group, it sure has been organized in a happy go lucky fashion."

[majestic_keiki]

You don't say.

[srwu_mods]

"It's not that component pieces are lacking. My men are disciplined, Howe and Huffman have their quirks but are experienced and the Commander... well, he's trying his hardest."

"What I'm saying is that it feels like someone made Unity Group this way on purpose. But I said too much already."

[majestic_keiki]

I see...[That was a rather worrying thought. Why would somebody do it like that?]

[keep_your_dignity]

SO WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS THAT A VERY LARGE PORTION OF OUR FUNDS ARE BEING FUNNELED TOWARDS A MAN WHO LEADS THE SAME SQUAD THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SHOWN TO BE AN OPERATIONAL DANGER AND PRACTICALLY A GUILELESS PATSY FOR INGRAM PLISSKEN TO MANIPULATE.

AT TIMES LIKE THIS I ALMOST WISH I COULD DRINK.

[srwu_mods]

"You and me both Major."

"Actually I can drink. I just can't afford to."

[keep_your_dignity]

I SUPPOSE I SHOULD GO MAKE A BETTING POOL ON HOW THIS SHIT IS GOING TO END UP GOING WRONG NOW TO RECOUP LOSSES. I THINK I'LL PLACE FIFTY BUCKS ON "WE END FIGHTING THIS NEW MECH".

[srwu_mods]

Dirchs ponders this statement.

"No bet."

[keep_your_dignity]

SMART MAN.

NOW MORE SERIOUSLY. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GAVIN'S SUPPORTERS? BECAUSE THIS SMELLS LIKE EITHER EXTREME IDIOCY OR DELIBERATE FUCKING WITH THIS ORGANIZATION.

[And Kagura has her own private theories]

[srwu_mods]

"His uncle is the creator of FightSaber and ShotSaber... or rather, he founded the research. He is a politician and a businessman, not a scientist. But either way it looks like he plays the doting parent role."

[keep_your_dignity]

THERE'S MORE GOING ON HERE THAN A DOTING IDIOT. I CAN FEEL IT IN MY GUT. SLAPDASH IS ONE THING, BUT THIS KIND OF SHIT SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAPPEN.

[srwu_mods]

"Are you saying someone's trying to set us up, Major?"

[keep_your_dignity]

I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING. JUST THINKING OUT LOUD.

[It's pretty clear that Kagura does have suspicions, but deniability is an important skill when you work for Graveyard.]

[srwu_mods]

"Once again, you and me both."

[63rd_shockwave]

So the reason why, after 11 years of not smoking...two months after I start up again, we run out of the good stuff...

Is because some kid wants to play superhero?

[srwu_mods]

"Pretty much."

[63rd_shockwave]

I'm half tempted to put them out on his arm.

[srwu_mods]

"Not the best idea. If Gavin goes crying to his uncle, we'll end up with more than just a temporary budget cut."

[empress_without_a_throne]

I'd say Solaris could give some pointers on how to tighten your belt... but this is just ridiculous. It's like Loni wants his own personal Granzon, complete with using up two thirds of our budget.

[srwu_mods]

"He wants a unit that is 'fits someone like him'. That's what he told the Commander."

Dirchs isn't spitting in disgust for some reason, but he looks like he might as well be.