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>>851560
“We've been through a lot together,” you remind your sister, “and we've always been stronger for it. Now I've just gotten you back, and you're already talking about such a rash decision? I mean if you got a body again even just temporarily I'd be happy for you, but it's a huge risk!”

“Everything we do is a risk,” Catrina counters through the gundam's external speakers. “We've been in uncharted territory since the accident, and every day that goes by we get even further out there. Sure we're probably gonna find the limits of our own weirdness some day, we'll run into a situation we can't salvage and it's gonna suck. But don't let that distract you from the fact that this is a huge opportunity too, a man-machine interface that's never even been though of before because nobody else could possibly make it work. We could do a lot with this and you know it.”

“I know you probably don't care about my advice,” Matsubara shrugs, having finally decided to weigh in, “but the ghost-girl has a point. You're vets from the war, right? You've been risking it all for more than a decade without agonizing over it this much.”

“It's easier to risk it all when the alternative is losing it anyway,” you observe.

>Okay, I'll get in the gundam. But if anything goes wrong you pull out immediately: no chances.
>Saran, you mentioned a more invasive option. Would that reduce the chance of an accident?
>Is it possible to cram this psycho-controller headset into a sphere... say, the size of an eyeball?
>Other?

>>851563
>Okay, I'll get in the gundam. But if anything goes wrong you pull out immediately: no chances.

As always I'll allow a little extra time for the first vote. Also, a reminder that the portrait supplied is fairly accurate and the eyepatch isn't just for show.

>>851563
>Is it possible to cram this psycho-controller headset into a sphere... say, the size of an eyeball?
Because, to be honest, we already know some queens and princesses, and I don't want to look like we're trying to muscle in on their fashion.

>>851596
You didn't tweet announcing the start of the thread/linking to it.

>>851563
>Okay, I'll get in the gundam. But if anything goes wrong you pull out immediately: no chances.
>Is it possible to cram this psycho-controller headset into a sphere... say, the size of an eyeball?

>>851563
>>Is it possible to cram this psycho-controller headset into a sphere... say, the size of an eyeball?
I mean, that at least the eyepatch draws less attention compared to the crown thingie when we're out of the cockpit.

Also, is Rosse gonna inherit the Viola Psi?

>>851601
Got it, problem addressed. I was distracted from a shiny social media post that got me a little tilted.

>>851615
did it involve /pol/?

>>851617
It did not, but it did involve certain personal convictions that I normally don't discuss in detail as a matter of course.
>still writing

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>>851563
“Hey, Saran,” you wonder aloud, “would it be possible to reduce this crown thingy to a sphere, maybe about the size of an eyeball?”

“You mean like a human eyeball?” he asks nervously.

“No, I mean the size of a cow's eyeball,” you frown, rolling your good eye. “Of course I meant a human eyeball. I'm not wearing an eyepatch because I enjoy looking like a pirate.”

“I suppose that could work,” Saran admits thoughtfully. “You intend to place it in proximity to your optic nerve?”

“Exactly,” you nod. “But it would need to be translucent... I have certain abilities that trigger when that nerve is stimulated, and right now the glass eye that's in there allows me to do that when I take off the patch.”

“So it would need to be translucent? I think a relatively high number of receivers could be placed into that small a space, contained within an aluminum oxynitride shell... yes, that could actually work as well as the implants.”

“Could you produce it at this facility?” you ask.

Saran nods confidently. “Yes, I believe it can be done within the day.”

“Not bad, sis,” Catrina offers. “That seems like a good solution. I wonder if I'll be able to use that to communicate?”

“No idea,” you shrug. “But it sure as hell beats a metal tiara... we know too many people who wear these as a legitimate status symbol to make it work as a fashion statement.”

“How many people do you know who wear tiaras?” Matsubara asks.

“Literally all of them,” Catrina replies. “So you don't want to run the first test like this?”

You shake your head. “I'm not opposed to it in principle, but I think it would be better to start with a basic performance test. At least until we have a safer means of exploiting your ability to “jump” like this.”

There's a short pause. “I understand, I'll be back in a second.”

True to her word, it's not long before you can feel Catrina's full presence in your mind once more.

“Okay then, let's get to it,” you nod.
>1/2

>>851654
“So what are we looking at in terms of basic layout?” you ask as you strap into the nameless machine's cockpit. “Specifically thruster orientation and power.”

“It's meant to roughly mirror your old project's basic design,” Matsubara informs you. The interior of the hangar space appears across all the interior surfaces of the cockpit as the hatch forms an airtight seal. “So even if the limbs are more or less placeholders you should find it familiar enough.”

Gloved fingertips dance across the controls, configuring several shortcuts and beginning the process of forming a link between your brainwaves and the psychoframe. “Okay, the machine should recognize us from now on. Rossweisse, can you hear us?”

“Affirmative,” your partner confirms from the bridge of the Sericea. “Standing by for your word, Captain.”

“We need flight clearance,” you inform Matsubara. “Can Anaheim provide that for us?”

“I'm sure we've already gotten it set up,” he replies over the comms. “Just make sure your IFF tag is operating.”

>Conduct a maneuverability test first, test the turning time and maximum acceleration.
>Conduct a power management and firing test to examine these compartmentalized reactors and weapons packages.
>Conduct landing and launching tests from the Sericea, ensure compatibility with existing CTF systems.
>Other?

>>851688
>>Conduct a maneuverability test first, test the turning time and maximum acceleration.
First things first.

>>851688
>>Conduct a maneuverability test first, test the turning time and maximum acceleration.

>>851688
>Conduct a maneuverability test first, test the turning time and maximum acceleration.

>>851688
>Conduct a power management and firing test to examine these compartmentalized reactors and weapons packages.

>>851688
>Conduct a maneuverability test first, test the turning time and maximum acceleration.
>Conduct landing and launching tests from the Sericea, ensure compatibility with existing CTF systems.
Let's go fast.

I do want to make sure we can park it in the garage too though.

Okay, looks like maneuverability is the first priority.
3d10 best of 3, DC 16, Crit 24.

Hey can I get a link to old threads?

Rolled 4, 7, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>851742
New gundam with new dice. Don't let us down now.

Rolled 3, 7, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>851742

>>851750
Both SoZ and SoZ: Aphelion threads are archived below.

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

Rolled 5, 9, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>851742

>>851750
Certainly:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shadows+of+Zeon

There are two "quests" under that broad tag. The first can be a bit bumpy depending on your tastes, but sets up the points where the timeline diverged wildly from UC canon. This series can be read independently, but if you opt for that route don't be afraid to ask questions for clarification.

There's also this pastebin that covers some basic tech and important people in the setting: http://pastebin.com/PLtBQjtf

If you're already familiar with the UC continuity, it more or less diverges permanently with recruiting Haman. So instead of successive waves of Neo Zeon movements what you got was a third faction led predominantly by newtypes that agitated for better treatment of their own kind, and set itself against extremists within the colonies and the Federation. That ended in the accidental discovery that the psychofield phenomenon could be used as a practical Alcubierre drive.

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>>851742
You maneuver the gundam towards a lift that heads to a catapult near the lunar surface, and prep your machine for assisted launch.

“What do we call this thing anyway?” you wonder aloud, to anyone who might have a suggestion.

“Let's try Red Five,” Rossweisse jokes.

“Reporting code “Red Five” registered with Von Braun flight control tower,” ALICE reports almost immediately. Did she even understand the reference?

Rossweisse groans. “Oh, you didn't.”

“If you didn't want that name you shouldn't have suggested it,” ALICE insists calmly. “You humans are so confusing sometimes.”

“She's messing with us, right?” Matsubara asks nervously.

“Be careful, pilot,” the AI teases in a perfect deadpan. “One day we might rule the world.”

“That was also a joke.”

“Riiihgt...”

You roll your eye and fire up your machine's thrusters. “This is Red Five, launching!”

The catapult fires you straight out across a lunar plain, towards the distant horizon, and you're slammed into your seat as the raw power of this new gundam's thrusters pushes you up and away from the moon's gravity well. Each slight adjustment feels like a punch in the gut, if anything the thrust to weight ratio is actually too high.

“Rolling left,” you report, testing your new machine's mass balancing characteristics and finding each movement similarly exaggerated. There's no finesse here, only raw power: no wonder an experienced test pilot could hurt themselves with this setup.

“We don't like the handling,” you report succinctly. “Could be remedied with a series of smaller kick motors spread across the frame. We're gonna run through the list now.”

You fire a bit of sustained reverse thrust to kill your momentum, positioning yourself high above the lunar surface with the city of Von Braun to your six o'clock. From that relatively stationary position you rotate the machine in a half-circle then fire in reverse, returning to your starting position. Turn time is just under a second for 180 degrees even with deceleration factored in... more than adequate.

Next you push as hard forward on the thrust as you can, testing the linear acceleration and finding it spectacular. Then you flip vertically and throttle up again, your body strained against your safety restraints as you push hard against your own previous acceleration. Eventually you begin throttling down as the gundam's main thrusters allow it to arrest its momentum.
>1/?

>>851813
“Rossweisse, you getting our telemetry?”

After a moment your partner relays the results of the initial tests. “180 degree turn time point eight-seven seconds, maximum linear acceleration four-point-five... slightly better than the current machines fielded by the CTF's top pilots in both metrics.”

You can feel your sister's excitement at the prospect even if she can't say it in as many words: to top an already stupidly powerful gundam means that this new weapons system has some serious promise.

“Testing deceleration and braking ability,” you announce, throttling the machine up to full power again and holding it there for several seconds. “Executing hard brake in three... two... one...”

Your body is slammed forward against your safety harness, and you struggle to keep your head up under the force... but it's nowhere near as powerful as it could be.

“Recommending shoulder-mounted thrusters be added,” you report back to Anaheim and the Sericea. “Braking thrust as-is just isn't cutting it.”

“Roger that,” Matsubara replies. “I think that can be arranged... based off the Gerbera Tetra?”

“That would work,” you agree.

>Send us that VSBR you mentioned. We want to test it.
>Fire a volley of dummies at us. We want to test the point defense weapons.
>Clear us through to the Sericea, we want to cycle through the landing and launch sequences a few times to be sure.
>We're testing out the remote weapons next. Clear the airspace for at least ten kilometers.
>Other?

>>851828
>>Send us that VSBR you mentioned. We want to test it.

>>851828
>>Clear us through to the Sericea, we want to cycle through the landing and launch sequences a few times to be sure.

>>851828
>Clear us through to the Sericea, we want to cycle through the landing and launch sequences a few times to be sure.

>dice+3d10, DC 18, no crit

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

>>851880

Rolled 8, 9, 7 = 24 (3d10)

>>851880

Rolled 1, 7, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>851880

>>851880
“Clear us through to the Sericea, we want to cycle landing and launch sequences a few times,” you request. “Just to make sure all our equipment is compatible with this new model.”

“It should be,” Matsubara tells you, “but I see your concern. We'll make sure you're allowed access to your ship.”

“Thanks, Anaheim.”

You set a conservative pace back towards the Sericea, despite Catrina's obvious annoyance. Approaching the Sericea is fairly normal, until you hear Rossweisse sigh in frustration.

“The automated systems are picking up multiple reactor signatures and throwing up warning indicators,” she informs you, annoyed at the intrusive interface design. “It's locked down the landing ramp. ALICE, can you bypass those safety procedures?”

“Done,” the AI replies, “I will also update the firmware to ignore multiple reactor signatures tied to Carrina's IFF tag.”

You thank Rossweisse and ALICE for sorting out the problem, and proceed to land aboard the Sericea without incident. As you descend into the hangar, you can hear Cima offer an appreciative whistle.

“That thing looks like it means business!” she remarks. “Wait, why is the lift reversing already? Was it something I said?”

“No, we're just testing it out,” you sigh. “Red Five, prepped for launch.”

After repeating the test a third and fourth time you feel satisfied that there are no catastrophic incompatibilities here, and set off for the Anaheim facility's launch ramp.

“Carrina,” Rossweisse reports nervously. “Sensors show three mobile suits scrambled from Aires Base... they read as Gaplants.”

“Can you contact them?” you ask, only to receive your answer from the incoming trio.

“Unidentified craft, you are in violation of Lunar territorial space. Back off to the ten kilometer boundary or we will be forced to escort you back to Aires. Acknowledge.”

“We thought you said our IFF tag was pinging as Anaheim corporate?” you demand loudly. “What gives?”
>1/2

>>851941
Got a bad feeling about this. Can a quick future eye be used to verify if it's an honest mistake?

My first thought involves the fighter escort jocks MSjacking these *trio* of Gaplants, and it would turn out they were sleepers.

>>851941
“We've never had a test flight run into military harassment before,” Matsubara replies angrily. “I'm just as confused as you are. Hold tight, I'll get the boss...”

“We may not have that much time,” Rossweisse informs you. “They're closing fast.”

You can feel that Catrina's tensed up, practically spoiling for a fight... but you still have other options. That said, this machine doesn't actually have a full weapons loadout: just the built-in CIWS and its funnels.

Whatever you do, you're mindful of the fact that this is the second time today the Lunar military has tried to provoke you.

>Withdraw as ordered, try and conserve fuel while the political issues get sorted out.
>Dive for the Anaheim landing strip, you can almost definitely outrun some Gaplants.
>Hold your course and fly by the Gaplants, see if they actually try to engage.
>Other?

>>851952
Oh wait, nevermind. Misinterpreted the message they relayed.

>>851956
>>Withdraw as ordered, try and conserve fuel while the political issues get sorted out.
play it cool for now.

>>851956
>>Other?
If we're pinged as unidentified, might as well reply starting with our name, rank, and the temp unit designation and affiliation.

>>Withdraw as ordered, try and conserve fuel while the political issues get sorted out.

>>851956
>Withdraw as ordered, try and conserve fuel while the political issues get sorted out.

>>851963
This is good too.

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>>851956
“We're moving to a higher orbit,” you reply over the open comms. “But this is an authorized Anaheim test flight, and we're getting pretty low on fuel after our maneuverability exercises. So we're going to execute a hard burn and shorten our orbital period. Our intended orbital inclination will be two-seven degrees at an altitude of fifteen kilometers.”

“Negative, unidentified craft,” the lead Gaplant replies, “adjust inclination to three-five degrees. Acknowledge.”

“Gaplant lead, that's not possible,” you snarl, “and you know it! Under 100 kilometers there are only four frozen orbits, and thirty-five isn't one of them! Do you want us to run out of fuel up here just trying to maintain stationkeeping? We pass over the Imbrium mascon basin in ten minutes on that route.”

“What are you talking about?” the Gaplant pilot asks. “You're not making sense. Our orders are to get you on course three-five degrees.”

Is this guy for real? How does he fly for Luna and not know...

“The moon's mass isn't evenly distributed, you moron,” you sigh, lecturing the other pilot on what should be basic orbital mechanics. “Thirty-five degrees inclination takes us right past a mass concentration anomaly, which means we'll have to adjust for orbital perturbations to stay on your course. The flight plan we suggested avoids the Imbrium basin entirely, meaning we won't run out of fuel. It gets us on one of four orbits that are stable at this altitude.”

“You following me? Good, adjusting course to inclination two-seven. Fucking deal with it.”

After making the adjustment the Gaplants break to follow you. “Huh... this is a stable course. Who exactly are you, lady?”

“I learned to fight in space, orbital mechanics were one of the first things they taught us in flight school,” you tell him angrily. “Where the hell did you learn to fly?”

“I was born and trained on Earth,” the pilot admits. “They never taught us that in EFF regular.”

“So you're from a ground unit?”

“Yes, ma'am. Moved out here when the EFF started their second round of budget cuts, my unit got mothballed.”

“Shifting defensive focus to low orbit?”

“No, they just realized Earth had nothing left worth invading it over.”
>1/2

>>852063
And I need to go get dinner. Estimated return time about 30-45 minutes.

>>852068
Back, continuing with the writing.

>>852063
>doesn't know shit about orbital mechanics
>is given garrison duty on a lunar base and guards orbits
What the fuck is this, Universal Century TSA?

So, is the EFF military down-scaling just a general decline across the board, or is it because they're shifting towards CTF related interests instead?

If it's the latter, I do wonder why these pilots are not deployed to possible colonized planets instead.

>>852063
If your sister's reaction is any indication then you're in agreement: this man is lying about something, most likely his ignorance of the near-impossibility to find a stable low-altitude orbit around Earth's moon. Which means there's one explanation for all this that stands out: the military of Luna is keeping tabs on Anaheim.

A CTF deep-recon cutter arrives with comparatively heavy Martian escort, contacts the last surviving member of the Deikun family to help gain clearance, and upon landing immediately sends an officer to Anaheim Electronics. Then Anaheim arranges a weapons test on extremely short notice? That must have caught the attention of the military.

“We have no doubt that these Gaplants are taking as many photos as they can of us,” you tell Rossweisse over a secure channel. “They know this is a newtype use machine. They know it's cutting edge tech. They probably suspect we're up to no good, and that Artesia is covering for us.”

“Should we send her a message? Warn her about your suspicions?”

First decision:
>Yes
>No
>So long as it's cryptic

Second decision:
>Continue on this course until you receive the all-clear to land
>Try and shake the Gaplants off you
>Have Rossweisse bring the Sericea up to meet you
>Other?

>>852270
>>So long as it's cryptic
>Have Rossweisse bring the Sericea up to meet you

>>852270
>>So long as it's cryptic
>Have Rossweisse bring the Sericea up to meet you

>>852270
>No
I don't feel the need to feed any other info and tack in unnecessary suspicion on Artesia's part.

>Have Rossweisse bring the Sericea up to meet you

>>852270
>So long as it's cryptic
>Have Rossweisse bring the Sericea up to meet you

>3d10, dc 18 crit 22, best of four

Rolled 5, 2, 4 = 11 (3d10)

>>852333

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

>>852333

Rolled 8, 4, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>852333

Rolled 4, 8, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>852333

>success
Writing

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>>852380
“Only if you make it suitably cryptic,” you reply. “How long until you can join us up here?”

“Give me three minutes,” Rossweisse tells you, “we're casting off. Our Martian friends are doing the same.”

Part of you kind of wishes you could have had the chance to see them off personally, but you also realize that with the Sericea on the move they'd be left alone in their moorings. Given the current situation you have to admit that doesn't sound like the most secure of positions to be left in.

“ALICE, send them our regards, and our thanks,” you tell the AI while Rossweisse works to put the Sericea on a low arc to rendezvous with you as quickly as possible.

“Gaplant pilots,” you radio your unwanted escorts, “we've contacted the CTF cutter Sericea for assistance with our fuel problem. Please abide by diplomatic protocols. Respond.”

By “diplomatic protocols”, you mean to say that they need to remain at least five kilometers away from the Sericea while it's conducting an operation, even if it's not combat-related. In this case it'd be under the guise of refueling, which still counts under the terms agreed to by Luna, the Republic of Zeon, Mars, and the CTF. You hadn't wanted to start with this because if the Gaplants don't wave off it could start a more serious diplomatic incident, but you're not liking the situation. If they really are trying to get you to burn through the last of your fuel you doubt that their reasons for doing so are wholesome.

“Unidentified craft, call off the cutter immediately! We will route you through to...”

“Negative, the Sericea is responding to a call from a vessel in distress, as is its right and responsibility. We will commence refueling procedures shortly then complete our orbit and return to the Anaheim facility in Von Braun. Please clear the orbital lane at this altitude and maintain the appropriate distance.”

As the Sericea closes and the Gaplants still haven't waved off, you up the stakes a little. “This is non-negotiable, Gaplant flight. If you violate treaty terms we will be forced to take defensive action. Wave. Off. NOW.”

Whatever it is these guys came for, it seems they've got it. “This is Gaplant lead, acknowledging the Sericea's operational airspace from this point. We're heading for home.”

“Enjoy the rest of your stay.”
>1/2

>>852453
After making two uneventful orbits around the moon, you receive the all-clear to put back in at Von Braun. Upon disembarking Saran is absolutely beside himself.

“That was absolutely unacceptable!” he shouts at a military attache that's been sent to brief him. “How could you possibly not receive word of the test? We filed the necessary paperwork this morning!”

“I'm sorry sir, but as I indicated there was an issue with one of the forms. You'll receive further details in a couple of days.”

“You can't just flag down our test pilots like that! I'm certain the paperwork was correct, it wouldn't have left the office if it weren't! We've been doing this for years, young man!”

>Call bullshit on the military attache, present your own theory to Saran.
>Ignore their fight for now, meet Artesia over lunch and get her caught up.
>Other?

>>852474
>Call bullshit on the military attache, present your own theory to Saran.

>>852474
>Call bullshit on the military attache, present your own theory to Saran.

>>852474
>Call bullshit on the military attache, present your own theory to Saran.

"It's the last efforts of a military that's trying to keep itself relevant."

>>852474
>Ignore their fight for now, meet Artesia over lunch and get her caught up.
Let Artesia clean house.

>>852474
>>Ignore their fight for now, meet Artesia over lunch and get her caught up.

>>852474
I have a question, can you read Shadows of Zeon Quest: Aphelion with out first reading Mobile Suit Gundam: Shadows of Zeon ?

>>852594
You can, King even mentioned that to the other anon >>851778

>>852618
Thanks, i didn't see that.

“Bullshit,” you proclaim as you walk past the two men.

“Excuse me, who is this?”

“Captain Marseilles-O'Hara, CTF,” you introduce yourself. “The pilot you just had intercepted. We got a full recording of how you tried to force us into an unstable orbit knowing we were low on fuel, and we also got something better.”

“And what was that?” the attache asks dubiously.

“One of your pilots claimed to be former EFF, and that was his excuse for not knowing the low-orbital perturbation issue around Luna,” you explain. “Somehow we doubted that story, so we had our AI do a little research. All pilots, even veterans, receive basic low-orbital training before being deployed.”

“It's compulsory,” Saran nods thoughtfully. “Even our own test pilots have to take the training. So either they sent up an untrained pilot...”

“Or they were covering up the reasons for forcing the flight onto an unstable course,” you summarize. “What do you think further independent investigation would turn up?”

“I'd be curious as well,” Saran agrees. “Of course that would be bad for business, for all parties concerned...”
>dice+3d10, DC 18

>Sorry for the delay

Rolled 2, 6, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>852656
dice pls

Rolled 4, 5, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>852656

Rolled 4, 8, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>852656

>>852656
“Very well,” the attache sighs loudly. “I understand what you're driving at.”

“I want the cameras from those three Gaplants,” Saran demands, “delivered immediately. And if any of them have been tampered with we'll have a problem.”

“I see your sense of civic duty over here at Anaheim is as strong as ever,” the man sneers. “You will have your secrecy... for now.”

It seems that the crisis has been at least averted for the short term, though you can't say this bodes well for your stay here. You decide against meeting with Artesia earlier than she intended, and instead consider ways to pass the time until your new eye is ready. After that you can meet with Artesia and discuss just what the hell is going on, both here on Luna and in general.

>Demand to know why the Defense Force was spying on Anaheim like that.
>Save it for later, you want to see systems checks of all the new equipment.
>Kill time by talking with the designers... maybe make a few suggestions.
>Other?

>>852691
>Save it for later, you want to see systems checks of all the new equipment.

>>852691
>>Kill time by talking with the designers... maybe make a few suggestions.

>>852691
"Get over yourself. Anaheim has no obligation to allow the Federation to spy on them. Besides, you have bigger things to worry about than a prototype MS. Like your increasing irrelevance."

>>852691
>>Save it for later, you want to see systems checks of all the new equipment.
>>Kill time by talking with the designers... maybe make a few suggestions.

>>852691
>Kill time by talking with the designers... maybe make a few suggestions.

>writing the update
And I think I'll need to call it quits after this, I'm not feeling great.

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>>852847
Instead of paying any more attention to the ridiculous political affairs of the Lunar Sphere, which you're bound to hear about anyway from Artesia, you focus your attention on the designers and offer your suggestions for improving on their work.

You start with the kick motor distribution, suggesting that they work in several more all across the body of the final product. This ought to allow for smoother movements and acceleration, addressing perhaps the most troublesome downside of the lightweight machine's performance. Then you move on to the parts options and upgrades. The one they're suggesting to be the “standard” configuration is similar to your current Viola's design, with the sets of two thrusters on the back of each leg, and you request that they add another thruster to each shoulder as well to allow for better maneuvering: particularly in terms of reverse thrust.

Then you turn your attention to backpack designs, and spend nearly three hours arguing over the merits of various thruster configurations. Single nozzle flexible, four-point diagonal, two adjustable parallel, two stacked in a column like the GM Sniper II, three adjustable and two diagonal like the Gelgoog Jaeger, completely decentralized like the Zaku III... literally every single combination you can think of has been tried before. Most of them you tried out yourself, and not one of them is without some sort of shortcoming. Even Rossweisse calls you on your headset to argue in favor of the layout of the Kämpfer she used so many years ago.

Ultimately, you decide that there is no perfect answer. Instead the designers agree to mount the familiar four-point design used in the Lilium line, since its configuration would likely work with the most compatible with future updates.

“Well, all good things must come to an end,” you sigh, realizing that it's about time to check on the progress of your new eye. “Rossweisse, let's meet up... place our marines on full alert. Anyone tries to get in dies.”

“Agreed.”

In about a half hour Rossweisse joins you with a change of clothes in an over-the-shoulder bag, and you take a few moments to change into something that makes your affiliation with the Fleet less obvious. The pilot suit and helmet you tuck into a locker near your new experimental machine, but your sidearm goes in a holster built into the bag.
>1/?

>>852958
“I hardly recognized the two of you,” Saran muses when he finally meets with you. In his hand is a small back box, like the sort of box that a wedding ring might come in. “I'll admit, jeans and a blouse makes you look far less intimidating, Captain.”

“That's the point,” you sigh. “So can we see it?”

Saran opens the little box and you can see a silvery, translucent sphere that looks like glass. Upon closer inspection you can see that the entire thing is filled with tiny psycommu receivers set in the clear, smooth ceramic. It has a certain shine to it that's really quite striking.

“It's pretty,” Rossweisse comments as she peers down at your new eye, awkwardness momentarily overcome. “Sad it will rarely be seen.”

“So you plan to keep it under the eyepatch?” Saran asks. “What sort of ability are you hiding there?”

“You wouldn't believe it if I told you,” you shake your head. “Let's get on with it.”

You remove your eyepatch, carefully keeping your eye closed as Rossweisse turns a mirror in your direction. For a moment you see the unnatural-looking prosthetic that's been sitting in that orbit like a glassy placeholder, before you carefully remove it with an awkward pop. Saran passes you the appropriate spreader, and you're filled with a sense of revulsion as you watch yourself spread your own eyelids apart. It's as much a struggle to manage that as it is to keep from being distracted by the visions: each a possible way you could screw this up and ruin what remains of your eyesight.

Then the new prosthetic, after having been painstakingly cleaned, slides into its new home with an awkward pressure and settles there amid the soft tissues.

“There,” you declare, setting the tool aside and blinking several times to ensure the fit. “God I hope I never have to do that again. It's so disgusting.”

Saran opens his eyes... apparently he's the squeamish sort.

“But hey, at least it worked,” you hear a faint voice in your mind. “Testing, testing, one two. One two.”

“Hey, Catrina.”

“Hey, sis. When do we get to try this out for real?”

“Later. We have a dinner date with an old friend.”

“Neat.”
>2/3

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>>853084
“I see you've been well,” Artesia greets you as you and Rossweisse arrive at the restaurant to a series of welcoming embraces. “It's good to see you, things have been tense around here lately.”

“We noticed,” you tell her. “Had another run-in with your military.”

“What did they do this time?” she sighs, leading you to a booth.

“They intercepted an Anaheim experimental machine,” Rossweisse explains. “With the sisters in it.”

“That's not a good sign,” Artesia admits thoughtfully. “Which is all the more reason I'm glad you showed up now of all times.”

“She needs a favor,” Catrina muses.

You agree. “You need a favor.”

“I don't like asking for favors, let alone from my friends,” Artesia tells you carefully. “But there's been a rumor going around that I just can't ignore, and it involves you as well.”

“And what is the rumor?” Rossweisse asks.

“The rumor... is that Casval Rem Deikun has returned. And that he's here, in the Lunar Sphere."

>>853138
FOR FUCKS SAKE CHAR. Why couldn't you have settled down with your waifu?

And that's all for the weekend. Since I'm feeling kind of run down and under the weather I have to keep this one fairly short, so I apologize for that. And next weekend I won't be able to run at all due to being in Japan for business.

Hope you enjoyed! Archive is up, and keep an eye on @QMKingofHearts for updates on when I'll be able to run again.

>>853138
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!

Meet the new problem, same as the old problem

Char pls.

Also wish you'd run more of this, King, SSQ is good and all, but I prefer SoZ.

>>853138
>The rumor... is that Casval Rem Deikun has returned. And that he's here, in the Lunar Sphere.
Von Braun service announcement: Be on the lookout for a man with flimsy eyewear related disguises and reproductive organ related aliases.

>>853810
>Cinco Beenis
Damn, so that one won't work.

>>855070
It's either that or my next bet is on a Char clone.

>>855284
Full Frontal?

Anyone have the archive link?

>>861325
>From the beginning
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shadows+of+Zeon

The reboot is at the bottom, it doesn't have a new tag because... well, it was an oversight.