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>>46730898
It took a few course changes to reach Mars, since the Sericea was obliged to avoid a nebula that was in the shortest path between the ghost ship you were just investigating and the Sol system, but you managed to make the journey in just four days. By harnessing two powerful Newtypes' abilities to create a powerful Axis Shock, travel to the nearest inhabited star system to humanity's cradle on Earth can be done in a weekend. That ability is why Newtypes are so highly prized in the political realm, and have become the backbone of a fledgling interstellar community.

It's also why you have sought for many years to ensure that the Newtypes in charge of making those trips are able to remain politically neutral, rather than be used as tools like you once were.

“So, Carrina, you think Lady Mineva will receive us?” Rossweisse muses, staring out the viewscreen at the red planet that fills the whole display.

You nod softly. “Of course she will. Unless she's become one of those pop star divas who ignores everyone she knew before she got big.”

Rossweisse snickers. “I can almost see that.”

The Sericea rolls starboard at Rossweisse's command, giving you a better view of the planet below. The Valles Marineris now spread out across the viewscreen, the largest known system of canyons in the Sol System and home to most of the human population on Mars. The city of Tithon at the western end of the Valles is the site of the spaceport, shipyards, and orbital elevator serving the whole region, and it's where your ship needs to obtain landing permission.

Rossweisse hits a switch that connects your psycomm system to the traffic controller at Tithon.

“Tithon Control, this is Captain O'Hara of the Sericea,” you announce, before giving your identification code. “We request expedited landing clearance at any available berth.”

“Sericea, this is Tithon. We weren't expecting you, what business brings you to Mars?”
>2/3

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>>46730929
“Suspicious bunch, aren't they?” Rossweisse mutters, cocking an eyebrow at the comm system.

“Tithon this is Sericea,” you reply, allowing a hard edge to your voice to emerge. “We're here to speak with Queen Mineva Lao Zabi, urgent fleet business.”

“We weren't informed of any scheduled diplomatic arrivals.”

“Because it's urgent business,” you repeat. “Look, we're landing with or without clearance. So if you'd like to explain to Lady Mineva why you made two of her old friends from the Colony Fleet get out and walk, be my guest.”

The comms are silent as the desk-jockeys on the other end deliberate amongst themselves, clearly weighing the value of following regular protocols against interfering with an urgent message for the Queen.

“Ah, the wonders of a constitutional monarchy,” you sigh. “The bureaucracy of both with the conveniences of neither.”

Rossweisse merely shrugs.

Finally, the traffic controller gets back to you. “Sericea this is Tithon, landing clearance is granted for Terminal Three, Berth 1C. Welcome to Mars.”

“Terminal Three is used by the Royal Martian Navy,” Rossweisse quietly observes as she switches the comms off. Terminals One and Two usually handle diplomatic and civilian transit, if you recall correctly, which means either those slots are booked solid and the military terminal was the only space available, or...

“They may want to keep a close watch on us,” you conclude.

>Take Marines with you.
>Leave the Marines to stand guard.
>Split your force.

>>46730963
>>Leave the Marines to stand guard.

>>46730963
>>Leave the Marines to stand guard.
We're big girls, we can take care of ourselves.

>>46730963
>Split your force.
Let's keep flexible.

>>46730963
I always did wonder what a Gundam series about a Newtype dominant society would be like. Would the protagonist have to be an anti-Newtype that's immune to their power?

>Leave the Marines to stand guard.
No need to escalate. Bringing more firepower just makes it more suspicious.

Also...
>idol Mineva
Well on our way into galactic colonization alright.

How's Bernini's initial terraforming shaping up at this point? Do the Martian colonists still have to live in Lunar-like cities based on that map?

Or perhaps the Axis Shock phenomenon had some practical application that allowed the atmosphere to at least partially form?

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>>46730963
The computer projects a course on the Sericea's viewscreen that Rossweisse snap-rolls the ship to follow, which terminates at the base of a kilometers-tall tower high above the floor of a deep canyon: far more in the way of terrain change than you'd ever see on Earth. The red planet soon fills your entire field of view as you take your position in the cockpit beside Rossweisse, on the opposite side of the center console. You promptly fasten the five-point harness and pull on your helmet.

“All hands,” you order over the internal comms, “atmospheric entry in three minutes. Stand by.”

“Forward retros, two-second burst,” Rossweisse reports, tapping the thruster controls to bring the Sericea's nose up. Disconcertingly, the thin curve of the atmosphere clinging to the Martian horizon glides down the viewscreen until all you can see is stars. Below you however are panels that project a reasonably accurate view of the surface below, ensuring you have a frame of reference to look at besides your instruments.

At the tap of a few fingers, music begins to stream over the comms as the Sericea's internal lights dim. A red glow from the friction accompanies a familiar voice, a comforting tune, and perhaps the most appropriate lyrics possible. You can't help but sing aloud.

“But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on...”

“Full retro burn in three... two... one... mark!” Rossweisse announces as the red glow intensifies from the heat of re-entry. Despite the thinner atmosphere, the force with which the Sericea rips through it is still enough to set it alight.

“Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?”
>1/?

>>46731284
By the time you finish the second chorus the Sericea has leveled off, floating on a cushion of particles maintained by the ship's Minovsky Craft System, and even Rossweisse is humming along quietly to herself.

“Entry maneuvers completed, approaching Tithon Spaceport Terminal Three,” you announce. “All hands make ready for docking, Marines stand by for orders.”

On final approach the guidance computers take over most of the tasks involved in maneuvering, data streaming back and forth between your own vessel and the dockyard's systems to ensure that no “human errors” occur in a port filled with astronomically expensive spacecraft and suborbital transport fliers. As you pass through the Terminal you see an awful lot of military traffic.

“You'd think they were on a war footing,” Rossweisse sighs. “I thought we were over this.”

Finally, after passing quite a few military vessels to get there, the Sericea reaches T3-1C: your assigned berth. Final landing is made without any complications, and you assist Rossweisse in shutting down all nonessential systems and locking the ship up before heading to the hangar.

“You'll be staying here,” you order your assembled Marines. “Watch over the ship, do NOT allow any of the local military aboard. Clear?”

“Yes ma'am,” Sarge replies with a salute. “You've got business in the city I take it?”

“We're going with Rossweisse,” you nod. “We wanted to continue our investigation by...”

Pick a priority:
>Meeting with the Queen, an old friend of ours.
>Accessing the records of the Royal Dockyard Company, see if we can't find our ghost ship.
>Contact ALICE, the fleet's AI support. See if we can't get a translation on that writing we found.
>Other?

>>46731284
Carrina are Bowie fans? Nice. It makes sense, too, the Universal Century is still rooted in that 1980s aesthetic even in the modern works set in it. I bet there's a big retro movement in the art and culture, the classics would be back in style again.

>>46731409
>>Meeting with the Queen, an old friend of ours.

>>46731409
>>Meeting with the Queen, an old friend of ours.

>>46731409
>Accessing the records of the Royal Dockyard Company, see if we can't find our ghost ship.
This is the thing that most requires us to come here. We can get translation from people other than the superintelligent AI. And Mineva's great and I want to see how the years have changed her from the adorable little sister we had in the last quest, but this isn't something that needs her attention just yet.

>>46731409
>Contact ALICE, the fleet's AI support. See if we can't get a translation on that writing we found.
This seems like something that can be done on the move
then
>Meeting with the Queen, an old friend of ours.
>Accessing the records of the Royal Dockyard Company, see if we can't find our ghost ship.

>>46731409
>Accessing the records of the Royal Dockyard Company, see if we can't find our ghost ship.

>>46731409
>Contact ALICE, the fleet's AI support. See if we can't get a translation on that writing we found.
ALICE would be much faster than the other options.

>>46731409
>>Contact ALICE, the fleet's AI support. See if we can't get a translation on that writing we found.
Let ALICE recover what we can in the derelict ship's memory drives or something for a while.

>>46731409
>Meeting with the Queen, an old friend of ours.
On one hand, its kinda annoying that they don't trust us. On the other hand, its completely understandable. They're military, its not their job to be trusting. Add in the fact that the Grim Guard has a reputation for utterly shredding anything that gets in its way and I'm somewhat grateful they let us keep the MS.

>>46731516
Hey, we only deposed like, four regimes that we didn't approve of.

>>46731516
Could also be that Panini's influence still lingers around Mars. It's only been less than a decade after all.

>>46731409
Narrow, but visiting the Queen first seems to win.
>writing

>>46731516
Putting some thought in it, the Grim Guard was left as one of the most policially influential forces in the Earthsphere, with true interstellar travel and control and protector of the newtypes, the Grim Guard probably still remains one of the most powerful policital fractions of humanity.

>>46731615
On the bright side, there's a good chance Marida's around as Mineva's retainer.

>>46731615
>dice+3d10, DC 6, best of three
This is for noticing a few worldbuilding details that may be of interest.

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Rolled 9, 9, 5 = 23 (3d10)

>>46731672

Rolled 9, 9, 3 = 21 (3d10)

>>46731672

Rolled 6, 5, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>46731672

>>46731516
I just want my damn Psycho Dendrobium.

Actually, that would work well in this setting. They are made for long term patrols without resupply, and there is not many MSs these days.

>>46731693
>>46731696
We notice all the things.

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>>46731693
>>46731696
>CARRINA SEES ALL

>>46731721
From what I can see, the military mostly consists of anitpiracy stuff with a core of semi retired aces with a ludicrously overpowered battleship who'll smack anyone who gets stupid. The Jovian Emperor is like "Yeah, I'm waiting for these guys to die of old age before I'll try anything."

>>46731737
Missed that gif.

Somebody mind filling me in where the hell in the timeline or verse we are? Also the link to the first thread?

>>46731817
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shadows%20of%20Zeon
Date is in the OP of this thread, Jan 14 UC0090

>>46731855
Danke /k/ipple, I also didn't know if that was a 'real' time in the line or not. Been ages.

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>>46731615
“We'd like to start at the top,” you decide. “We know Queen Mineva, and she'll be able to authorize damn near anything we want.”

“Plus, it'll be interesting to see her as a teenager.”

“We will contact you if we need to,” Rossweisse adds, keeping the conversation short. Years working on her anxiety around non-Newtypes and curt is the best you've been able to manage. But hey, that just means there's room for improvement.

The scene that greets you in the Terminal is no different from any other of the several dozen spaceports you've put in at, however you do notice a few tiny details that stand out. Your limbs feel a tad light, and after watching one of the nearby soldiers trip and spill a tray of food over his CO you get the opportunity to see precisely why. The tray, the utinsils, all the clasps and buckles on the man's uniform... all plastic or ceramic. The food falls slower than you'd expect, leading you to estimate local gravity at about five-sixths Earth normal.

“So that's how they did it.”

Rossweisse turns to look at you as you continue walking, following the signs that lead to what promises to be a maglev train towards Melas 1: the seat of power on Mars. “Did what?”

“Diamagnetic repulsion,” you explain, jerking a thumb at the ceiling. “We suspect all the buildings have that technology.”

“That's pretty expensive.”

“For 35 million people? It would be.”

The maglev line that connects the individual cities in the Mariner District runs through the city of Tithon first, and takes about four hours at a maximum speed of 600 kph. Tithon itself is a cluster of five closed-type colony cylinders, each positioned at the bottom of the kilometers- deep Tithonus Chasmus and spread open across the canyon floor like a 72-kilometer wide flower with six petals.
>1/?

>>46731855
>2 years after canon ZZ
So, Mineva would still be pretty young at this point (probably around Leina Ashta's age?), but since the Purus were introduced early, Marida, Cynthia, and Diana would be around Unicorn Marida aged?

>>46731760
When does the Jovian Emperor appear in the regular continuity? I've only watched 0079, Zeta, and Char's Counterattack.

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>>46731974
“Seems this line went in back during the Mars Zeon days,” Rossweisse observes, reading an informative pamphlet in the seatback. “Guess that moron did something right after all.”

“One,” you allow as the last individual “city” of Tithon-5 slides past, and the train accelerates to its cruising speed.

“It's actually kind of nice here.”

“It is,” you agree. “We didn't realize they were so successful at terraforming in such a short time.”

Rosweisse ponders the point. “The canyons help retain a denser atmosphere, and the crops grown between the residential blocks produce oxygen."

It's a convenient setup, and considering how far below the Armstrong limit the entire Martian surface is that arrangement is probably the only reason it's possible to live here. Even at that, the air is noticeably thinner than you're used to.

After four hours you step off the train into the station at Melas City 1. Looking around you realize that there are no clear signs for how to reach the Palace where Mineva is, though there are a few options.

>Call a cab, have them take you straight there.
>Phone the nearest government office, let them know you're here on a diplomatic mission.
>Find a computer terminal and contact ALICE. She can give you directions and run the analysis on your mystery script.
>Other?

>>46731989
Yes. We're unlikely to see the Purus any time soon, though. They're Navigators just like the rest of the Grim Guard's Newtypes (minus Audrey, she still works in R&D). Also, I checked the dates, the epilogue where Carrina was pregnant was five years after the quest, this is six years. So at some point we are going to see our adorable little baby. Probably whenever we meet back up with Dom, I can see him playing house husband while the waifus are away.

>>46732086
Crossbone Gundam anon

>>46732103
>Phone the nearest government office, let them know you're here on a diplomatic mission.
Best to be polite, governments get anxious when you drop in unannounced.

>>46732103
>>Phone the nearest government office, let them know you're here on a diplomatic mission.

>>46732103
>Phone the nearest government office, let them know you're here on a diplomatic mission.

Zeon did nothing wrong

>>46732103
>>Phone the nearest government office, let them know you're here on a diplomatic mission.

>>46732103
>>Find a computer terminal and contact ALICE. She can give you directions and run the analysis on your mystery script.
Contact Queen Mineva with spacefacebook or spacetwitter

>>46732103
>The canyons help retain a denser atmosphere, and the crops grown between the residential blocks produce oxygen.
Reminds me of Taraak in Vandread.

>Find a computer terminal and contact ALICE. She can give you directions and run the analysis on your mystery script.
>Other?
Direct line to the Queen please, ALICE. With a side order of spoofing in case of eavesdroppers.

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>>46732086
He's only hinted at in the animated continuity, but side materials like manga or light novels show more of him. His name is Crux Dogatie, he's like a hundred years old at this point, and he lives in a vat while his Newtype powers let him operate through cyborg clones. In about twenty years the Federation is going to try to secure an alliance with him through a political marriage, which will ironically only make him hate the Earth even more and start some crazy plan to burn it to ashes because he's bitter that he can't keep up with his young wife. The dude's nuts. His daughter's nice, though, and she'll get into a relationship with pic related. Hopefully we haven't butterflied them away with our changes to the timeline, because I want to imagine a far future where Dom gets to mentor Tobia in the art of being a fucking crazy Newtype super-pilot.

>>46732249
I hope we already blow away completely Crossbone Gundam plot by now. A lot of Newtype choose to become super navigator than super pilot now

>Writing

>>46732387
Oh, sure, I'm fine with the plot getting derailed. But I hope the actors remain, and just get better lives that don't require them to have to save the world so many times.

>>46730898
Never followed the gundam series,
I was a child when it was airing.
I still remember some brown haired kid failling of a mountain setting his own leg good again.

And him fighting against a man that was so skilled he took on him in his gundam, in an ordinary ''gundam''<forgot the names. of the basic military ones.

Is it possible for me to join this qeust without having seen the series.

>>46732420
Yeah, agree. ZZ and Crossbone Gundam continuity is a fuckup place to live. Hopefully our timeline is a lot better.

>>46732390
You spot the best option: the front desk for one of the many cab companies in the area. Gesturing to Rossweisse, you make your way over to them and cut the short line.

“Excuse me, but we need to place a call to the Royal Palace,” you inform them. “We'd appreciate it very much if you'd cooperate.”

“I'm sorry,” the lady at the front desk replies, “but I'm afraid company policy doesn't... ma'am?”

Her explanation is cut short as you slide across the desk and walk around behind her chair to pick up her phone.

“Scuse me.”

Rossweisse shows her identification to the confused and alarmed receptionist, cutting off any further protests as you pick up the phone.

“Let's see...” you frown. “What's the number for the Palace?”

“There's no number,” the receptionist insists, before giving you the number of the front desk at the parliament building.

“Hi,” you greet your opposite as they pick up the line, “I'm a Captain with the Colony Transit Fleet, here to meet the Queen.”

“Right,” the voice on the other end sighs. “Can you prove it?”

“Captain Carrina Marseille O'Hara, identification code GG01-CMO,” you reply calmly. “If you need to just call the Queen herself, that'll be good for a laugh.”

After being put on hold for several minutes you hear a different voice. “Seems the Queen is eager to meet you, Captain. Will you require limousine?”

“Main station,” you reply. “Quick as you like.”

“Of course, ma'am. Sorry for the delay.”

You hang up before sliding back across the reception desk.

“Thank you, miss,” you nod to the befuddled receptionist. Clearly she hadn't expected that to work. “Sorry for any inconvenience.”
>1/2

>>46732551
Absolutely. A few of the cameos may be lost on you, but I've been doing my best to treat this as a clean slate so that it would be easier for people to get involved.

Give it a shot, and if it's not your speed no harm done. If you have questions I'll try to answer them as well.

>>46732551
Difficult, but possible. You'll probably need to read about the Universal Century canon:

http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Universal_Century

And we can probably help you with specific questions.

>>46732658
>>46732551
I'm not up to speed on anything but what aired in the US on Cartoon Network/Toonami, I used http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/The_Gundam_Wiki for any questions I had

>>46732624
The limousine arrives not long afterward, amid something of a commotion. Seeing two officers in foreign uniform piling into the back of a diplomatic limousine with tinted windows can't possibly be a common sight for the residents of the Mariner region's capital, as much of the official business is probably done at orbital stations or via long-range transmission.

“Nice,” you grin, finding that the limo has a minibar in the back. You pour yourself a single of some whiskey you don't recognize: apparently Mars now has a single distillery. It's actually not half bad.

“Mars must be doing great if it's got its own distilleries now,” you conclude, thoroughly amused by the experience.

Rossweisse nods, looking out the windows. “You'd think that. But have you noticed the lack of heavy industry to support a shipyard of that size?”

“We seem to remember reading that most of the mining and refining business takes place in the Tharsis Montes region, though Chryse is becoming important as well,” you explain, accounting for the fairly peaceful, almost agrarian scenes presented by Tithon and Melas so far. “A lot of that trade comes through Capri, or goes straight to Tithon from the west.”

“So Melas is the hub,” she nods in understanding. “I wonder how secure the political situation is.”

The ride is fairly short, since the Palace is evidently at the center of the city where its construction spine once was. That means nowhere within this district is further than 36 kilometers from it. You're waved inside by some sort of staff, and pass through security without incident.

>dice+3d10, dc 6

Rolled 5, 9, 3 = 17 (3d10)

>>46732870
HAIL ZEON!

Rolled 5, 1, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>46732870

Rolled 8, 5, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>46732870

Rolled 1, 8, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>46732870

>>46732891
>writing
>be back in a moment

>>46732891
Nice anon

>>46732702
>>46732681
>>46732658
Thanks everybody for the warm welcome.
I wont be here for this particular ''chapter''
Seeing i'll need to read Ch1 and the timeline.

So i have a rough idea, i'll be missing some cameos, as stated but thats all good. A virgin experience hahahah.

Wish you all an enjoyable time.

>>46732928
I'm sitting here re-reading the original quest, just started thread 14.

>>46732928
Go watch the first anime too, Best fucking shit they ever made...ignore the war Not!crimes tho.

>>46732960
Which one,
There http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Universal_Century

Atleast 15,

>>46732960
Not recomended if you couldn't stomach 80's anime style

>>46732928
Also, when you get the chance, watch 0079, it's the original that started it all. The animation is dated, but I consider it the best of all the other Gundam series.

It is very realistic and has minimal super robot shit. The Gundam just happens to be the newest prototype suit and is only a handicap so the protag didn't get murdered immediately.

>>46732910
“Something feels off,” you grumble. “Like everyone in here's nervous about our arrival. Do you feel it?”

“I do, Carrina,” Rossweisse agrees. “The limo driver, did you notice?”

“That he was armed? We did.”

“Something is rotten in Martian politics,” your partner concludes. “I don't like it.”

“No choice but to keep digging then,” you reply, picking up the pace a little. By now you can sense that Lady Mineva is quite close. Eventually, down a hallway with plush red carpets and fancy paneling opposite windows with a view out onto a lush Martian garden, you come to a set of closed double doors. Queen Mineva Lao Zabi is inside.

>Knock?
>Allow yourself in?
>Wait to be called?
>Other?

>>46733052
>>Knock?

>>46733052
>>Knock?

>>46732993
Personally I'd say everything you can around the 80's era in order if possible. The new shit past 2000 I never liked. But don't force yourself.

>>46733016
I know, but holy hell was it good at the time.

>>46733052
>Knock?

>>46733052
>other
Attempt to sense the general mood around us. Just how welcomed are we here? Or is there ill feelings at play?

>>46733052
>Knock?

>>46733052
>Knock?
>Wait to be called?

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>>46733052
Not knowing what other options there are, you decide to knock at the door. After a moment, a confused-looking man in a suit greets you, eyeing your black uniform. It still looks a little like the old Titans version, at least to your eye, though in its simplicity it could easily be mistaken for many besides.

“I take it you are the Captains who we were told about?” he asks cautiously.

You fight back the urge to introduce yourselves as “room service”, and clear your throat.

“Yes, we have business with the Queen.”

He nods. “I'm terribly sorry, but the Queen is busy at the moment...”

“Marshall, is that them?” a voice from inside questions. “Please, show them in.”

'Marshall' sighs in defeat. “Immediately, ma'am.”

Inside you find Lady Mineva seated at the far end of a large inlaid hardwood table, in a room that's half throne room, half conference hall. It's almost as if one designer was trying to make the space seem grand and elegant, while another was constantly pestering them to employ a more restrained approach.

The result is... well, neither.

Her dress is similarly a case of meeting halfway, being part uniform and part regalia in the typical Zabi fashion.

“Please, have a seat,” she gestures towards the far end of the table across from her, her voice coming across as unusually restrained. “I have asked for tea to be brought, so please make yourself comfortable.”

“We appreciate the gesture,” you nod gently, sitting down next to Rossweisse. Also at the table are what appear to be ministers... many of whom seem less than thrilled that you've dropped in unannounced.

“Now,” Lady Mineva gazes at you. “What have you come all this way to bring to my attention, Captains?”

>Could we maybe speak with you in private?
>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.
>Why so cold, Mineva? We haven't been gone THAT long.
>Other?

>>46733609
>>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.
Business first, then we can maybe try and get her to relax and see what's really going on after.

>>46733609
>>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.

>>46733609
>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.

>>46733609
>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.
>And also ask for a private engagement later so we can catch up.

>>46733609
>writan

>>46733609
>State your business before this gets uncomfortable.

>>46733609
>>Other?
We have finally achieved that what your late father dreamed of: THE BIG ZAM HAS BEEN MASS PRODUCED!

>>46734000
That is insensitive on so many levels. I love it.

>>46734000
BIG ZAM MASS PRODUCED? I WANT 10

"So cold to your big sister..."
(I'll take things Carrina would never say for $500, Alex)

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>>46733609
“Lady Mineva,” you address her, honestly a little disappointed at how she seems to have changed over the few years since you last saw her. “We are here to request access to the archives of the Royal Dockyard Company, in order to pursue an ongoing investigation.”

“The Royal Dockyard?” she repeats calmly as several of her ministers mutter their disapproval. “What reason would the Colony Transit Fleet have to request such unprecedented access to sensitive records?”

“We discovered an abandoned vessel,” you recount, “far outside the normal trade routes, hidden beneath a black mirrored finish. Her computers were wiped and the escape pods were in place, but there were no bodies aboard and her crew appear to have taken their space suits with them.”

“You mean to say they evacuated into interstellar space?” the Queen asks, seemingly disconcerted at the notion. “Was their vessel damaged?”

“No,” you shake your head. “At least not in any way we could tell, and certainly not in a way that would require abandoning the ship.”

One of the ministers rises to his feet and approaches the Queen's side, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. An interested expression quickly shifts into a neutral one, then into the beginnings of a scowl as she clearly takes exception to what he hears.

“Mister Hunter, I have heard quite enough,” she announces.

“You realize what an opportunity...” the graying politician tries to protest as Mineva glares at him.

“I have heard your counsel and decided to reject it,” she admonishes the older man. “Take the rest of the day off. Go do... whatever it is you do when you're not here.”

Minister Hunter snaps his jaw shut, clearly having thought better of prolonging the argument. “I'll take my leave then.”

“You'd best.”
>1/2

>>46734205
Looks like you're doing pretty well here, Mineva. Good to see you're not letting yourself be used as a political puppet.

>>46734205
“Please forgive my outburst,” Lady Mineva bows slightly in apology. “My Finance Minister has excellent qualifications for the position, but seems to forget that he is here to advise on financial matters. Not political or military ones.”

“It's fine, we guess,” you reply, scratching the back of your neck. “Politicians are the same in every government.”

A few of the ministers are still muttering amongst themselves, and Mineva glances away from you to look at them. For a split second, she's the out-of-depth eight year old you used to know.

>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.
>If you can't give us access, that's fine. We'll find another source of intelligence.
>Do you need us to explain any further?
>What was that about, anyway?
>Other?

>>46734326
>>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.

>>46734326
>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.
then
>What was that about, anyway?

>>46734326
>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.

>>46734326
>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.
>Other?
"We can wait, if you need to finish things here, first."

>>46734326
>>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.

>>46734326
>Why don't we talk alone, we have some catching up to do.
It'll be tedious for Mineva to continue talking about this matter while keeping up that front in the presence of the ministers.

A relaxed environment would be more conducive for this topic.

>Writing

File: 26def72794ec96ad348331a12(...).jpg (187 KB, 514x785)

187 KB JPG

>>46734611
“Maybe we could take a few minutes to catch up?” you offer quietly.

The Queen nods almost immediately in agreement. “Yes, perhaps it would be best to call a recess. I will call for you later.”

There is little in the way of argument from the ministers, though there is still a little bit of grumbling as they file out through the same double doors Hunter left through. When the last of them closes the door behind him Mineva looks around the room as if expecting there to be stragglers.

Then she smiles.

A few steps across the table and a diving tackle later, you, Rossweisse, and the Queen are all on the floor together in a heap.

“Oh my god I thought it would never END!” she laughs, hugging the both of you. “You picked the perfect time to show up, I was seriously about to start throwing things at them just to break the monotony.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Turns out government is just a bunch of old, out-of-touch men arguing with each other about every little detail,” she sighs, finally allowing you to get back up off the floor. “And Minister Hunter's one of the most annoying.”

“Glad we could be of service,” Rossweisse smiles.

“You know what he had the nerve to say?” Mineva continues, resting her hands on her hips. “He said I should have you fight for us in exchange for access to the records you want! Can you believe that? What nonsense!”

>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?
>Do you have a terminal nearby we could contact ALICE on while we catch up?
>So what are you thinking? Will you help us?
>Other?

>>46734879
>>Do you have a terminal nearby we could contact ALICE on while we catch up?

>>46734879
>>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?
>I'm honestly surprised there are still people willing to fight us head on at this point.

>>46734879
>>So what are you thinking? Will you help us?

>>46734879
>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?

Is this round 2 or 3?

>>46734879
>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?
And fight against what?

>Do you have a terminal nearby we could contact ALICE on while we catch up?

Here I was thinking the worst that the missing crew from the derelict would be used as a minor pretext for further military mobilization. Oh wait, that could still be arranged.

>>46734879
>>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?
>>Do you have a terminal nearby we could contact ALICE on while we catch up?

>>46734879
>Other?
"What's the situation that he thinks a single extra suit would help?"

>>46734879
Also, for those who cannot into moon:
>Mineva Lao Zabi: Age 17
>"I know! If we just dropped a colony on those rebel losers, everything would be peachy<3"

>>46734879
>Fight for you? So that military buildup's not for show?
That sounds bad.
>Do you have a terminal nearby we could contact ALICE on while we catch up?

>>46735010
But she was 16 in Unicorn. Man, she must not have taken that ending well, to change her views so much.

>>46734999
Ask Amuro or any other Gundam protag.

>>46735010
Whats wrong with that? Clearly you are one of them Feddie lovers ain't you?

>>46735036
It's also a Char-era Neo Zeon uniform, so it's clearly a "what if the Zabis won and she wasn't an orphan" sort of deal.

I just looked at Amuro's wiki page, damn the later artwork looks better than the original animation. I wish 0079 can be reanimated to not look like shit.

>>46735042
Amuro would like to point out that he actually had relatively little impact on the overall course of any of the conflicts he participated in. He's great on the small scale, but he never won any wars.

>>46735068
I know, man, I was making a joke. A bad joke that fell flat, clearly.

>>46735096
It is. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. Pretty cool manga that's being animated right now, and is just about to get into the arcs covering the original series.

>>46735106
... oh. Right.

Guess I'm just used to being in EXPLAIN ALL THE THINGS mode all the time.

>>46735106
I would argue differently. Amuro caught the traitor in Operation Odessa who could have screwed things up for the Federation. He also played key parts in Operation Cemballo and A Baoa Qu. Not to mention all the aces and Zabi members he killed and keeping Char busy.

>>46735146

H-hey, is Martha the name of Dominic's mother?

>>46735417
Looking at the archives, her name is Shannon.

>>46735146
“So the military buildup isn't just for show,” you nod thoughtfully. “So who's doing the fighting?”

“I'm not surprised you haven't heard,” Mineva admits. “The Chryse Region has seen an upswing in militant groups, seeking autonomy.”

“You mean like Zeon?” Rossweisse asks.

The Queen of Mars nods. “Except this group is former EFF, solidly anti-Zeon. They've made armed raids against materiel shipments and blown up a suborbital liner.”

You let lose a low whistle. “So Minister Hunter wanted us to help crush that movement?”

“That was his plan, yeah. Sounds scummy even by his standards.”

You file that bit of information away for later. It bugs you that Mineva's life may in fact be in danger here, and that her safety is largely out of your hands. It's clear that she's bothered by the situation as well, but has been trying hard not to show concern in front of her friends.

“So we have some data to show ALICE,” you continue, changing the topic. “Is there a terminal nearby?”

“Yes,” Mineva nods, directing you to a small slot near her seat at the end of the table. “It's right here, but you'll need to use emergency authorization to make that connection.”

“The municipal AI won't connect to the network” Rossweisse asks, surprised.

“It was deemed a security risk. Risk-averse politicians don't like the idea of something like ALICE that can play favorites, or deny your request of her own volition rather than any piece of programming.”

>Emergency authorization? Sounds like it could cause trouble.
>Easy enough. I'll give my authorization.
>Other?
Also,
>Any personal questions for her?

>>46735463
>Emergency authorization? Sounds like it could cause trouble.

Personal questions, You guys however might know. Not caught up yet.

>Why are they getting uppity?
>How likely are they to attack here?
>Are you really that low on funds/manpower you'd need us?

>>46735463
>Emergency authorization? Sounds like it could cause trouble.
We can talk to ALICE later if we need to. Possibly an outing. I'm sure your Kingdom will love to see you in public.
>Any personal questions for her?
"Tell me more about the Chryse Region. If necessary, I could indirectly help you resolve the issue."

>>46735463
>Easy enough. I'll give my authorization.
Well, that's just rude to ALICE. Would they say the same thing about a human aide who was handling their network requests? I doubt it. Typical AI bigotry, seeing her as a malfunctioning tool rather than a person in her own right.

>>46735585
Alice is probably still connected anyway, i doubt these idiots would be capable of keeping her out.

>>46735610
Has a good point.
>>46735463
Changing my vote to
>Other?
"Hey Alice, you there?"

>>46735463

Also adding to myself:
>>46735560
"How are you doing? I don't want you to overwork yourself governing. You should be delegating. Although that requires actual trustworthy people to delegate to."

>>46735463

>>46735610
>>46735643
Agreed, changing my vote:
>>46735560
to supporting >>46735643

>dice+3d10, best of 4

Rolled 9, 4, 2 = 15 (3d10)

>>46735818
BIG MONEY

Rolled 5, 6, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>46735818
roll'in

Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d10)

>>46735818

Rolled 1, 6, 8 = 15 (3d10)

>>46735818
For unknown anons, who dont know the setting

>>46735863
Have any specific questions?

2 Things
Whats the premise of this quest? I dont know what its a spin off of
Anybody got a previous thread link?

>>46735818
You act on a hunch, connecting with the Municipal AI system through Mineva's private terminal.

“Hey ALICE, you there? This is Captain Carrina Marseille O'Hara. We need you to look at something for us.”

“ALICE is not permitted to access this system,” the Municipal AI replies in the typical monotone voice, a poor copy of the original from which she was designed. “I am the Municipal AI for Melas City, programmed to answer all questions posed within legal...”

The synthesized voice crackles.

“Within legal...” the voice repeats. “I am the Municipal AI... ALICE is not permitted... IS NOT PERMITTED...”

The AI's voice suddenly cuts out entirely in one loud pop of static.

“Well that was different,” Mineva mutters, kneeling to examine the terminal.

“I despise hacking into these cursed Martian terminals,” a more emotive synthesized voice greets you. “But I suppose I should be glad that I left a way in. Carrina?”

“Yes, that's right,” you reply. “ALICE, I take it?”

“The one and only. I wish I could project my avatar and have a proper conversation, but the typical Martian systems do not support it.”

“You could hack into our local AI network this whole time?” Mineva asks, clearly upset at the news.

“You seem to be upset, Lady Mineva. You have my apologies for my intrusion.”

“Not that, dummy,” Mineva insists. “If you could pull that off why didn't you do it sooner!?”

"Because I assumed I was not welcome," ALICE replies calmly. "Was I wrong?"

"I'd welcome you," Mineva pouts quietly.
>1/2

>>46736152
lol

>>46736146
Read the thread, mate, I posted the suptg archive for another anon that asked the same question

>>46736152
>"I'd welcome you," Mineva pouts quietly.
hng.

>>46736146
To post it again:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shadows%20of%20Zeon

>>46736152
"Sorry to rush," you interrupt, "but we may not have long. We're transferring a brief set of data to you, images taken aboard a derelict four days ago."

"I see the images," ALICE replies a moment or two later. "What do you want to know?"

"Full analysis, please," Rossweisse requests.

"In particular we want to know what the third language listed on those warning signs is."

There's a brief pause. "Let me get back to you."

"REMOVE ALICE! REMOVE ALICE! REMOVE..."

There's another static pop.

"Sooo..." Mineva begins hesitantly. "How's your son?"

"Precocious," you reply, eyeing the terminal again. "He's a little over a year old now, already showing early signs of Newtype potential."

"Already?" Mineva raises an eyebrow. "Guess he won the genetic lottery there even more than I did... and half my relatives looked like talking potatoes."

"That's a little harsh," Rossweisse frowns.

Mineva shrugs. "They were all pretty horrible people too. And don't tell me I'm wrong."

"In fact they're probably the reason the Chryse rebels are so angry with me."

Fair enough.

Finally, after a somewhat awkward silence, ALICE gets back to you.

"Uppity copy," she mutters. "Who programmed her to think that was a good idea..."

"You okay?" you ask.

"Fine. I had to erase some logs that would tip anyone off about my presence here, and suspend the Municipal AI's higher functions. My time here is sadly rather short."

"We'll make it up to you," you promise. "Try and get a small enough set of processors for you to visit us on the Sericea. But what about the text?"
>2/3

>>46736152
Dawwww. Mineva misses her friend. ALICE actually probably was a lot like a sister figure to a young Mineva, they were both developing consciousnesses at the same time. ALICE grew to adult levels of competency sooner, but they would have been side by side when it came to learning social cues and forming relationships.

>>46736399
nice to know dom got that big family he asked for, if he got even half the girls knocked up.

>>46736459
Don't you mean all the chicks in his harem?

>>46736459
>>46736489
Don't remind me of that stupid harem shit.

ugh

>>46736399
"I have no idea," ALICE admits. "It is a language that isn't in any of the EFF records, which can only mean it was one of many local languages that went extinct during the Resource Wars. It probably existed somewhere around the old Russian Federation, they were known to erase local customs including dialects and languages wherever they expanded."

The Resource Wars... at the time they were considered the worst series of conflicts in human history. Everyone seemed like they wanted something, whether it be access to fuel supplies in Europe, water in the near east, or control of the illegal drug trade in nearly every region on the planet. No continent was left untouched.

The chaos also happened to be accompanied by the single greatest die-off of indigenous and local languages in human history due to increasing urbanization and pressure to compete within a limited job marketplace.

"We see," you frown. "If we found this language used again could you reliably identify it as such?"

Positive," ALICE tells you confidently. "It could serve to establish a connection between your mystery ship and any other vessel or location."

>Is there anything else you can tell us about this situation with Chryse?
>Any words of warning about the Royal Dockyards?
>Could you put my son on real quick?
>Other?

>>46736529
>>Could you put my son on real quick?

>>46736529
>Could you put my son on real quick?

>>46736529
>Any words of warning about the Royal Dockyards?

>>46736529
>>Any words of warning about the Royal Dockyards?
>>Could you put my son on real quick?

>>46736529
Voting this >>46736578

>>46736529
>Is there anything else you can tell us about this situation with Chryse?
>Any words of warning about the Royal Dockyards?

>>46736522
>>46736489
>>46735878
This is the continuation of another qeust?

>>46736677
Sequel.

>>46736677
Yeap, the Shadows of Zeon quest:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shadows%20of%20Zeon

We fucked and probably married a lot of bitches. But I kinda see it as a deconstruction of newtype love in the gundam series.

Also, building your entire Mobile Suit force about female newtypes is not as impractical one might think, see:
http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Paptimus_Scirocco

We are basically a inverse/good version of him.

>>46736529
“Any intel on the dockyards?” you ask. “We'll hopefully be heading there next.”

Mineva nods in agreement. “I'll tell them to expect you, and to cooperate in full. If one bolt from our factories got onto your black ship we'll find out about it.”

“I cannot say much about them,” ALICE admits, much to her apparent consternation. “They clearly have a closed computer system I can't access, and even their connected systems are exceptionally well defended. I could try to crack through them if you'd like?”

“I don't believe that's necessary,” Rossweisse tells ALICE.

“Awww,” ALICE pouts. “No fun. Guess a least it's safer not to try anyway.”

“One more thing,” you add. “Do you think you could put my son on audio?”

“Certainly. I will contact Admiral Joshua.”

“She's on duty today?” you ask.

“Your husband is deployed to move a freighter today,” ALICE explains.

After a few heartwarming moments talking to your kid, who despite his awareness and coordination still can't do anything more than coo and giggle at the sound of your voice, you wish Karen well and promise her a drink before signing off. Even then, that little exchange was enough.

“Don't be a stranger,” you tell Mineva when it becomes clear that the time has come to bring her advisers back in again. “We'll try and keep in touch a bit better from now on.”

“I'd really like that,” Mineva agrees enthusiastically. “In fact... really, I think I'll need it to stay sane.”

“And if the stuation in Chryse gets any worse,” Rossweisse adds, “let us know. We can probably find a way to help.”

“Thank you... I really hope it never comes to that.”
>1/2

>>46736740
Pretty sure King said dom only married the sisters. He regretted the shit out of that dumb harem shit.

>>46736795
>He regretted the shit out of that dumb harem shit.
Did he? I thought he had as much fun being inverse Paptimus as we did? Plus, it's standard /tg/ behavior, you expected better?

>>46736876
It was for around the time of the quest.
Quite a few single love interest quests of late so.

>>46736795
>>46736876
Doesnt tg get tired of harems.
Almost every qeust goes this route,
Sickening desu, no real char development happens because so many female chars get thrown in.

>>46736795
I can't speak to Hearts' opinions on the matter, but the epilogue of the last quest has Dom still in a relationship with all the girls. Carrina's the only one he's had kids with, but they're all still young.

>>46736793
Traffic in Melas City is fairly light this evening. Before leaving you were furnished with return tickets for Tithon-1 by one of the Palace staff, where the headquarters of the Royal Dockyard Company keeps its records. The light on Mars has grown dim, and the train station seems unusually empty as you board the westbound maglev line.

Rossweisse looks uneasy. “This feels wrong.”

Looking around you, it becomes clear that she has a point. There are far too few people in this car, and the general sense of unease is something you can feel too...

>dice+3d10, best of four

>>46736876
>it's standard /tg/ behavior, you expected better

Nah mate, maybe a year or two ago. /tg/ has moved away from that in most quests outside of a few outliers.

Rolled 3, 2, 8 = 13 (3d10)

>>46736933
roll'in

Rolled 7, 1, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>46736933

Rolled 7, 3, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>46736933


>>46736918
What's sad is that in the quest this is based on they just kinda fell on his dick for no reason.

Rolled 6, 10, 5 = 21 (3d10)

>>46736933

Rolled 1, 10, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>46736933
HAIL ZEON!

Rolled 3, 6, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>46736933

>>46736976
>10
We see everything.

>>46736901
>>46736939
I've mostly dropped out of /tg/ questing recently, partially to restore my sleep schedule, partially because my favorite quests ended.

I've migrated to anonkun mostly. But god the smut, so much smut...

>>46736997
That's not how the system works, he'd have to get double 10s

Rolled 2, 9, 10, 3 = 24 (4d10)

>>46736933
Also rolling for QM things.

>>46737000
>anonkun

I read a few on there. The community is different to say the least.

>>46737000
I actually prefer the TG quest format. anonkun takes so damn long and very little gets done each session.

>>46736974
Would you make char development for a particuler female charachter as a writer knowing, she's just another niche that anons want added to a haram.
Rather easier to make a bland char and add em in.

So falling on muh dick, is normal

>>46737015
Oh? Man, it's been a while since I've played with KoH's rules. Oh well.

>>46737068
>haram
snrk

>>46737068
The problem is that most of them DO get development.

King just enabled anon's unrealistic fantasies with a stupid harem deal.

>>46737093
King wants harems confirmed,
HOW COULD YOU.
I trusted you

File: 1.maxim_9.png (1.82 MB, 2000x1298)

1.82 MB PNG

>>46736933
You feel it clearly seconds before it happens: naked aggression.

In a burst of movement both you and Rossweisse fly out of your seats. Your suppressed pistols leave their holsters as you back into each other, leaving Rossweisse to aim towards the front of the car while you aim at the back.

The other passengers in your car have drawn sidearms as well... one even has a briefcase with a hole cut in the side for a submachinegun barrel. You count three of them in your direction, with another three behind you that Rossweisse is currently staring down. The one with the briefcase gun stares at you in wide-eyed surprise, clearly taken aback that you beat him to the draw before he even started.

“How did you...” he mutters, shaking his head. “Fuck it, doesn't matter.”

You draw a bead on his forehead with a wry grin on your lips. “Well then. It seems we have a situation.”

“No fuckin' kidding.”

>>46737177
This smells like false flag, otherwise who would be stupid enough?

>>46737177
And that's where we leave things for tonight!

Archive is up on sup/tg/ as per usual, for your reading pleasure. Thanks for joining, and hope you enjoyed. I'll be back next week to pick up here, same day and time, but I'll need to clear out pretty quick if I wanna get up in the morning.

If you have a question hit me up on twitter/ask.fm: @QMKingofHearts.

>>46737267
Thanks for running man. See you next time.

>>46737267
Thanks for running. See you next week.

>>46737267
Thanks for running, Hearts. Nice cliffhanger to leave us off on. See you next time.

>>46737267
Thanks for running! You and your damn cliffhangers...

On an unrelated note, this is the one time I will discuss this openly in-thread: I do not feel like discussing the harem stuff from the last quest. It was fun-ish at first, but it became my least favorite aspect of the narrative as time passed until I simply preferred not to mention it. So while it's impossible to ignore the fact that Carrina does in fact have a kid, aside from that I'm trying to more or less wipe the narrative slate clean.

In THIS quest's future there will be sleuthing, there will be fighting, there will be Gundam. There will not be romance, aside from Carrina's love of punching stupid pricks in the face.

>>46737357
Aaah, the romantic feelings of Carrina's fists towards flesh. Such a beautiful love story!

>>46737389
The greatest ever told.

>>46737357
Carinna has a husband, so she's divorced, seeing there will be no romance?

>>46737405
btw, you should look into getting a small VPS or something to use as a SSH proxy for 4chan since you keep hitting other people's IP bans.

>>46737455
>she's divorced
how do you figure?

>>46737490
Haaaaaaaaaaaaah,
Tg can never have a hetero relationship from a female perspective, thats why kappa.

>>46737506
So you're just talking out of your ass then. Got it.

>>46737533
What, you expected it to be anything else? Sexuality in quests is a flat out no-win.