The blue skies and green ground of Phobos 3 blur past your eyes as you fly towards Fort Yamato. The still billowing smoke doing nothing but worry you as you think about your friends and allies fighting for their lives at this very moment. Finally, you get close enough to the battlefield to see the carnage that occurred. Several remains of both Avalaunch Mk IVs and enemy steel scouts litter the ground, several in pieces from exploding or being torn apart by their opponent. The battle still rages on as beams and bullet fill the air while blades of beam and metal clash against one another as they try to find an opening to sink into their target's hard shell.

Standing some meters outside of the conflict, you begin to plan your assault. At the moment, the battle seems even, with both sides suffering losses and about a dozen of enemies left to defeat. While you have the advantage in speed, you're piloting an unknown machine and could be attacked by a confused ally amid all this chaos.

>Keep your distance and shoot at the enemy forces
>Rush in and strike with your superior speed
>Announce yourself to the battlefield
>Write-in

Jekyll Particle Concentration (JPC): 30%

>>4649242
>>Announce yourself to the battlefield

>>4649242
>Announce yourself to the battlefield
Maybe they DONT want us revealing ourselves to the enemy, so let's wait for some orders.

>>4649236
>>Announce yourself to the battlefield

>>4649236
>Announce yourself to the battlefield

>>4649242
>Rush in and strike with your superior speed
>Announce yourself to the battlefield
Why not both at the sametime?
Also I somehow missed this got posted yesterday :(

>>4649248
>>4649712
>>4649734
>>4649744
>>4650255
Writing

>>4650670
Moving your left hand to the radio control, you pause for a moment as you consider your next move. While the NEC uses specific radio frequencies for communication, you know better than to think these are uncrackable. But between exposing yourself to the enemy, and potentially get shot down by a friend, you'd gladly take the later. Twisting the dial to 175 MHz, you call out "This is Lieutenant Maxim Russo, Captain of 79th platoon, 2nd squad. Anyone who can hear me, please report the situation." You wait for a moment as your call is met with another explosion as a beam pierces one of the enemy's steel scout. You continue to call out as you change frequencies, only to be met by silence each time.

As you prepare to give up and just rush in, you hear the crackle of static that confirms that you've finally broken through. "Captain Russo! This is Commander Park, please report your position!"

"I'm currently about 12 meters from the base, the only thing keeping me from joining the fight is that I'm piloting Dr. Ishgard's little project, which obviously no one at the base would recognize."

"So, he built an entire Steel Scout under our noses, huh?" the commander jokingly replies before letting out a kiai that is followed an explosion you only imagine is the result of her winning a battle. "Since he let you take that thing out, would you kindly tell me what it looks like so I can inform the other soldiers?"

You describe the grey, gold, and navy-blue Steel Scout you find yourself in as you prepare for what Commander Park will say next. As you wait, you notice two machines rises into the air and trade blows, before the Avalaunch is kicked into the ground as the enemy grabs a rifle. Grabbing your rifle, you ready to assist your comrade, but a beep from ICES catches your attention and directs towards a enemy seemingly flying up away for no reason. Suspicious, you look to where the machine would have been, only to find a large device, round and about as tall as an adult man, planted next to the side wall of the base. Unfortunately, the strange object is placed some distance away from the fallen soldier, so you doubt you can deal with both in such a short amount of time.

>Save the fallen soldier
>Go after the strange device
>Write-in
JPC: 35%

>>4650860
We have spare particles, I can't NOT choose both.
>15% rifle output: fire from current position. Doesn't matter if we miss, just don't hit the fallen soldier. If they think an artillery cannon almost hit them, they're going to pause.
>Go after the strange device

>>4650874
Good shit anon. Supporting

>>4650874
Supporting

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>4650874
>>4650903
>>4651081
Going for the greedy route, it'll be harder though. Just need some 1d100s, best of three
Don't mind me just rollan

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4651605

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4651605

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>4651605

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>4651605

>Computer blue screens in the middle of pre-writing
Pain, update will be a bit late

>>4652291
notepad++

>>4651619
>>4651636
>>4651730
Your eyes flicker from the strange device to the assailing enemy and back a few times as you try to think which one takes priority, before an idea lights up within your clouded mind. You still have one trick up your sleeve: Dynafort and its Ionic Discharge System. "ICES, prepare to use 15% of our max concentration for the rifle." you command the AI as you ready the gun, planting your shield into the ground and propping the barrel of the rifle on top. Your aim is less to take out the enemy, but more to distract them long enough for the fallen soldier to escape or counter. Your position is hidden well enough by the trees around you to avoid getting interrupted before you take your shot.

"Ionic Discharge System, ready for utilization, Pilot Maxim. Activate whenever you are ready."

"Fire!" your voice echoes throughout the steel cockpit as you pull the trigger and feel the air buzz around you for the third time today. The moment you finger completes its pull, Dynafort's arm is shaken by a brilliant blue blast bursting from its rifle, larger than before with a cool white core buried within the blast. Leaving your shield behind, you quickly take to the skies and dash towards whatever that pilot had place on the base. As you do, your beam strikes the would-be victorious pilot and blow its right arm apart, the air around the impact zone for a moment having a strange whitish chain form in the air for a split second. Seizing the opportunity, the fallen steel scout rises rifle in hand and unleashes a trio of shots into the chest of the enemy, the third breaking through the ablative coating and ripping through the cockpit.

You make a mad dash for the strange device, zooming past the enemy forces as you fly and run towards your target. Landing in front of the object, you look over the strange barrel-esque object, kept it place with six small legs, various glowing lines that slowly decrease in number covering the perimeter of the bronze object. Giving it a tentative tap with your rifle, you question if it’s a bomb or signal for some massive attack. You doubt it could withstand a slash or shot from your rifle as you consider how to handle this oddity.

>Destroy it
>It might be dangerous, take it far away from the base
>Use it against the enemy forces
>Write-in
JPC: 20%

>>4653379
>It might be dangerous, take it far away from the base

>>4653379
>It might be dangerous, take it far away from the base

>>4653379
>>Use it against the enemy forces

>>4653407
>>4653492
Writing

>>4655755
With steady motions, you pick up what you assume to be a bomb and scan the area. Everyone around you is caught up either fighting or trying to rescue whoever they can. Seizing this opportunity, you dash towards the fields to the west, making sure to avoid trampling the crops or animal pens as you rush to the one place you can think of disposing of this: the disposal yard.

Every space colony has one common issue: how to dispose of nondegradable waste, especially since they don't have the luxury of large empty land like planets or some moons do. The solution? Have areas that recycle whatever they can and have automated drones take flights to the nearest celestial body every week to dispose of whatever is left. Best of all, because some military equipment, including some volatiles, are also processed there, they tend to be more reinforced compared to other locations. So, you move towards the disposal yard as the lines on the metal canister decrease more and more. Whatever purpose this thing has, its time is growing close.

As you fly past a small river, a beep from ICES makes you quickly shift out of the way as a green beam flies through the air before sputtering out. Turning to face the aggressor, you find a Steel Scout like the ones you've faced before but with a large horn, most likely the sign of a commander. Instead of the usual orange eye, a deep blue orb peers through your machine into you. "So, they had a new Steel Scout on this Metal tomb." An emotionless voice emerges from the machine, "Tell me NEC soldier, where do originally hail from?" The question comes to you as a surprise, personal but the cold voice of the speaker makes it come off as a calculated move.

>The earth itself, the remnants of its former beauty still vivid in your memory
>A terraformed mars, standing in between the two regions of humanity
>One of the moons of the outer Solar system, far from the Earth's grasp
>Don't give him an answer, just attack
JPC: 25%

>>4656096
>>The earth itself, the remnants of its former beauty still vivid in your memory

>>4656096
>The earth itself, the remnants of its former beauty still vivid in your memory

>>4656096
>>The earth itself, the remnants of its former beauty still vivid in your memory

>>4656096
>One of the moons of the outer Solar system, far from the Earth's grasp

>>4656156
>>4656355
>>4656479
Giving a brief glance at the metal device you're holding, taking note of the 50 odd lines remaining, before responding "I'm Earthborn, from the former European region to be specific." While you left the Earth when you were only 10, you still remember how beautiful it was despite its damaged state. The tall green leaves of trees that seemed to stretch to the skies, the white sand that tickled your feet on the rage occasions your family went to the beach, and the blue skies that seemed to stretch forever. As you left the planet, you looked at the stains of yellow and brown speckled across its surface. While you have been to the planet ever since, you hope to one day see it return to even a fraction of its former beauty.

"A child of the Inner Ring... I was hoping for a different answer, but perhaps we can still reach an understanding." The cool voice of the man speaking to you is starting to get on your nerves, the way he speaks sounding more like a verbal dissection. "Tell me Earthborn, do you know about the state of the Outer Ring?"

"What are you getting at?" you reply, your irritation crowing by the moment

"I'm guessing you don’t, either out of ignorance or the information being suppressed by the NEC. But don't worry, soon all of humanity will know of our crisis and the NEC's crimes." the enemy commander's voice begins to be tinged with a mixture of sadness and anger as he speaks.

Looking down at the metal canister in your arms, you realize that you're down to about 25 lines and this guy has been stalling you for long enough. "Sorry about the situation of the Outer Ring, but I have a job to complete" Rotating the thrusters on your shoulders to the front you push backwards still watching the commander unit before turning around to go faster. Unfortunately, you're cut off yet again by a series of green blasts. Weaving through the initial volley, you land some 30 meters away from your goal, only to find the enemy unit standing in front of you somehow, a large rectangular gun held in his machine's hand.

"I'm so sorry to disappoint you, but it seems our missions are in direct opposition of each other." Another beam screams forwards and makes you dash to the side, the object in your hand rattling wildly as you panic over seeing only 15 lines left. "I'm not sure how many of my allies you have fought, but me and my Corinth are on an entirely different level.

>You're too close to stop now, run for it
>Risk it and fight
>Just destroy the damn thing already
>Write-in
JPC: 35%

>>4658651
>Pretend to charge at him
See if we can tell if he avoids being near the package
>Spend 20% on boosters, doing a high speed backward run for it, shooting the whole way

>>4658744
Supporting

>>4658744
support

>>4658744
>>4658784
>>4659357
Time for more dice, 1d100 bo3

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>4660342

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>4660342

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>4660342

>>4660383
>>4660621
>>4660973
Writing

File: Time.gif (243 KB, 1440x900)

243 KB GIF

>>4661444
You only have one shot at this, so you better stack the odds in your favor as much as you can. "ICES, get ready to direct 20% towards the thrusters."

"Confirmed, Pilot Maxim. IDS is ready at your command."

Planting Dynafort's feet into the ground, feeling it shift under your weight, you face the enemy and his Corinth as you shift the metal package into your right hand for one last trick. "Well I’m guessing you want this back right? So, go on, take it!" As soon as the last word escapes your lips, you lob the device at the commander, it goes spiraling through the air as it approaches its target. As you suspected, instead of catching it he suddenly moves to the side by a fairly large margin. Seizing the chance, you push off, reaching with your left hand towards your rifle as you rapidly approach the distracted commander. In just a few seconds you could shoot him square in the chest.

Instead you move past him and catch the device in your right hand as you continue to move forwards. As you spin around to face the Corinth, you shout "IDS start up!" as you feel the air buzz around you and your vision blur as you careen backwards toward the disposal yard. Taking hold of your gun, you fire at the enemy Steel Scout to keep the distance between you two as large as possible as you can't move as fast as the only thrusters you have at the moment are those on your shoulders and feet.

You take a second to look at the 10 lines remaining on the "bomb", a bead of sweat running down your face as you look away from the approaching commander to glance at your destination. That brief moment of distraction is all your pursuer needs before a beam explodes into your right shoulder, sending you spinning out of control for a few seconds before you correct yourself. You curse to yourself as you fire off a blast in retaliation and turning around to face your destination and taking the risk of exposing your back. Swaying from side to side and occasionally slamming into the ground to throw his aim off, you move as fast as you can to avoid having this package you're carrying go off in your hands. You can see the disposal yard, a large field with a several processing buildings and a large hatch that's in the midst of being opened.

Another shot strikes against Dynafort, this time in the left thruster on your back. You nearly crash into the concrete below you as you try to correct yourself with the loss of thrust. You're too close to quit now, so you land on the ground and run using whatever is left from you boost as the lines tick down from 5 to 4 then 3. The door opens and a drone leaves, you realize that you are not going to make it in time. Gripping the package tightly, you throw it as hard as you can.
(cont.)

>>4662340
The bomb flies true through the air, bouncing against the hull of the drone and knocking it off course for a second, before your vision suddenly goes white as a large flash erupts from outside the colony. When you can see again, you realize that the drone you hit is gone, as if it had never been there at all. You can only stare in dumbfoundment for a moment before turning towards the last obstacle in your path. The Blue eye of the commander's Corinth bores into you one more time before a crackle of static emerges from your speaker. "This is Commander Luka Adamache, all remaining units withdraw from the colony." The same voice belonging to the man who was just shooting at you has just announced over the common frequency a retreat order.

"What are you planning?" your voice is cold and harsh as you address the man before you.

"Congratulations you completed your mission, and I failed mine. The lives of my men now take priority. And besides, I'm sure our actions today with be the start of a crescendoing wave that will crash upon the NEC and its corruption." The man named Luka turn away from you in his Steel Scout and prepares to take off. Right before he leaves, he adds "Unless you improve Earthborn, you'll be left in pieces before our forces next time we meet." His voice has the faint hint of glee as he takes to the sky.

>There won't be a next time, shoot him now
>Take the opportunity to return to Fort Yamato, it's time to see how badly things went
>Check the outside of the Disposal Yard to see if you can find any hints of what happened
JPC: 15%
Family issues seriously delayed this, I'm sorry

>>4662342
>There won't be a next time, shoot him now
We preferably need to capture it.
Inform the Fort that the rebels are attempting a retreat from the colony. Kill/capture them or at least track them down with drones and cameras, for see where they go.
///
No problems for the update boss.

>>4662342
>Let him go
I don't think 15% is enough juice to take him in one shot, and we need to keep SOME of our cards hidden.

>Take the opportunity to return to Fort Yamato, it's time to see how badly things went

>>4662359
Supporting

>>4662342
Supporting >>4662405

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4662359
>>4662405
>>4662769
>>4662951
Time for tie breaking
1 for attack
2 for checking on checking on the base

>>4663290
You raise your rifle towards the fleeing commander, your right hand ready to pull the trigger and potentially throwing the invaders chain of command into array. But you feel your body shake as you begin to squeeze the trigger, unsure if you can survive another fight with gimped mobility. As Luka slowly turns into a shrinking dot that is soon joined by a handful of other dots, your mind turns away to those you left behind at the fort.

Unfortunately, the way back is far slower due to the loss of two of your thrusters throwing your aerial balance off. So, you run and jump across fields and through woods, using IDS to give you anything resembling a boost in speed as you make your way to your destination. Eventually, after turning on autopilot to give your mind a brief break, you make it back to Fort Yamato, the place worse than it was before you left. The western wall is caved in, several holes of various sizes litter both the building and the area around it, and worst of all the ground has been torn asunder by the force of beams and explosions. The fort has been standing for decades and has seen some use over the years, but you've never seen it in this bad of a state.

As you approach the base, first going back to find your shield still buried in the ground where you left it, you greet the two pilots standing guard as they give you instruction on what to do with Dynafort. You assume Commander Park informed the guards of what you're piloting, though you get some odd looks from some of the passerby and especially the mechanics and engineers working overtime during all this chaos. The hangar is damaged in places, but there's enough safe spots for people to leave their steel scouts. Finding an empty lot, you move Dynafort in and begin the steps of powering down so that someone else can look over your machine. "Thank you for your work today, Dynafort, ICES." you find yourself whispering to the machine as you open the cockpit to the outside world."

"Your praise is appreciated Pilot Maxim. Your performance today was also exemplary." The AI chimes back.

Stepping out of the cockpit, you give the chest two swift taps that causes it to close. As you walk away you hear steam shoot out from Dynaforts body as well as what you can only assume is the remaining JP left inside its body. You find the nearest mechanic and let him know you're here as you exit the hangar and enter the main hall. As you walk around, you can feel the somber energy filling the air, medical and repair team members running through the halls towards whatever has gone wrong now. Those who made it through the best are always responsible for taking care of those less fortune.

You can feel the side effects of piloting most of the day begin to kick in as your body groans for rest. Your mind on the other hand, still knows you have some things left to do.
(cont.)

>>4663422
>Try and find your teammates, you want to make sure they're alright
>Report today's event to Commander Park
>Just go to sleep, you've had a long enough day
>Write-in

>>4663423
>>Report today's event to Commander Park

>>4663423
>>Try and find your teammates, you want to make sure they're alright
>>Report today's event to Commander Park

>>4663423
>Report today's event to Commander Park

>>4663423
>Try and find your teammates, you want to make sure they're alright
>Report today's event to Commander Park.
>Tell the professor about Dynafort's damage

>>4663467
>>4663695
>>4663809
>>4664415
Reporting in first wins. Writing

>>4666305
First order of business should be to report to Commander Park before you're too tired to, so after a few stretches, you begin the long task of finding your commander. Walking around from place to place, asking anyone you can find, you eventually find Commander Park in the midst of discussion with the some of the other officers. Waiting until they finish you give the commander a quick salute to her as you both sit down. "Before I begin my report, can you fill me in on what happened after I left?"

"Well around 11:40, a large explosive hit the west side of the base before a large platoon of Steel Scouts surrounded the base. During the panic, we took a lot of damage, but their pilots seemed fresh so once our forces were able to deploy, we were able to turn the situation around. The rest you saw besides the retreat." Commander Park pulls out a pen and paper before speaking again, "Now that you're caught up to speed, let's begin with your side of the story."

You begin to recap the events of today, starting with the testing of Dynafort at Dr. Ishgard's lab, taking the experimental machine into battle due to the sudden attack, saving a civilian in town from being kidnapped, and ending with your clash with Luka as you disposed of a bomb. You take small pauses in-between your story to give the commander time to jot notes as well as leaving out the part where you let an enemy soldier go. As you finish, she looks up from her notes, her steely eyes betraying her attempt to hide her exhaustion from the day. "So based on your report, the enemy had two major goals in mind today, kidnap this "Noelle" character as well as destroy Fort Yamato. Your actions today prevented the first and hindered the second, though I can't imagine the disposal yard will be happy with one of us destroying their property by accident."

Suddenly you hear the rush of people outside the room you're in. Peeking out, you see everyone rushing to the recreational area. Looking back at the equally confused Commander Park, you ask "Is there some special event planned for this afternoon?"

"Not that I'm aware of, and even if there was, it would most likely have been canceled due to today's events."

>Check out what's causing all the commotion
>Ignore it and do something else (Specify)

>>4666347
>>Check out what's causing all the commotion

>>4666347
>>Check out what's causing all the commotion

>>4666347
>Check out what's causing all the commotion

>>4666743
>>4666816
>>4667641
Writing.

File: SEM1.png (1.39 MB, 1920x1080)

1.39 MB PNG

>>4667813
You give the commander a quick shrug as you peek outside again before following the crowd of people. Walking down the halls, you overhear chatter from your fellow soldiers. Besides the usual casual fare and concerns over the attack, what interests you most is that you aren't alone in being confused at all the commotion going on. As you enter the large room you immediately notice something odd. On a normal day, the five televisions would have different programs playing such as news, sports, or some random movie. Today, all five screens only have a stage logo of 12 swords in a circle, with an eagle gripping what appears to be a planet in its talons, on them.

After a moment, the logo is replaced by static that turns into a bald man with sharp features, his beard pointed like a spear. "I am Nicolai Strabo" the strange man begins, "And I would like to borrow only a little of your time to discuss the future of humanity. Only 64 short years ago, humanity began to expand its reach beyond our blue native land, to the vast expanses of our solar system. Despite hardships, most could claim that our mission was a success, we now cover several planets, moons, and space colonies."

"However," his voice hardens as he begins the next part of his speech, "Despite our grown, we still find people suffering while others indulge in luxury. The Inner Ring, the Earth, now rejoices in its smaller load while those farther away from it will rarely see the benefits. The Outer Ring is exploited and abused while its people languish and waste away. When will mankind wake up to the corruption that fills the NEC? When will all our people receive the justice, they desire?"

"No more!" The strange man's voice is full of passion as murmurs begin to rise in the room, "No more will the people of the Outer Ring stand idlily as we continue to be pillaged by the greedy Earth. Today we take up the mantle of those who fought for freedom in the Lumiere rebellion. Our assault on Phobos 3 was only the beginning of our uprising. We will strike with the thunderbolt of justice under the flag of the Delta Alliance! Fellows of humanity who see the injustice spread with our race, join us under our flag."

The broadcast suddenly cuts out as the usual programming return as an uproar of voices react to what they just saw. Some are angry at the claim of being levied against the entire of the NEC, swearing to fight to stop these rebels. Some feel sympathy with the cause, especially those who came from beyond the asteroid belt. But most people, including yourself seem unsure of what to make of this announcement, other than the fact that the fighting has only just begun.

>Try to find your teammates to discuss everything that's happened
>You're growing more tired by the second, go and rest
>Write-in

>>4667922
>>You're growing more tired by the second, go and rest

>>4667922
>You're growing more tired by the second, go and rest
politics later, Mr. Hyde dream sequence now

>>4668297
>>4668654
Sleepy time. Writing

>>4669981
You let out a yawn as you exit the recreational area along with everyone else who saw the broadcast. Your mind is still stirring with thoughts, but they begin to be overtaken by the desire for rest. Before you call it a night there's one thing you must do. Heading downstairs, you walk through various hallways before making it to a particular closed door. Located at the end of the leftmost hall, this room housed a certain individual by the name of Amari Kogen, though most know them by the name "Pointer".

Despite no one you know ever seeing Pointer in person or even knowing if they're male or female, but they've been around the base for years and are almost always locked away in their room. The one thing everyone knows is if you want to find out about anyone or anything, Pointer is the one to go to. How they do it is unknown, but their ability to sniff stuff out information is what got them their nickname. Glancing around a few times, you pull out a picture of Noelle that was taken by Dynafort's camera, writing on the back "Who is She? -Russo M." before sliding it under the door and giving it a few raps. You hear a duo of taps in response before the photo slides completely into the room. With your curiosity sated, you head back upstairs to finally get some rest.

Returning to your room, you find sleep evades you despite your exhaustion. You try everything you can think of: light exercises, counting sheep, even wrapping yourself as tightly as you can in your blanket. But your mind is stuck replaying the events of today, the insanity of just one day still shocking you. As you lie down in the darkness, eventually the grip of sleep finds you finally as the world of dreams find you again and see:

>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten
>A nightmare, one where you weren't so successful today
>Nothing meaningful (Skip to tomorrow)
Or
>A scene from someone's past

>>4670201
>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten

>>4670201
>>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten

>>4670201
>>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten

>>4670201
>>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten

>>4670201
>>A memory from long ago, one you thought you had forgotten

>>4670496
>>4670566
>>4670595
>>4670830
>>4673830
Unfortunately got hit with a serious case of no internet for a few days. Writing now

>>4673890
Luumford, a Martian coastal city located in the northern hemisphere of the planet, and at one point the home of a starry-eyed version of yourself. Cold and unwelcoming to most, it was a place full of excitement and adventure for a child in his formative years. Luumford was also the place where a Martian rebellion took place, one you saw with your own eyes.

It was a windy fall day as you walked home from school with some friends of yours. A short girl with frizzy brown hair named Lily was arguing with Marco, a boy of Italian descent, as you and a blonde girl named Maria just stood in the back an watched it unfold. This was a normal sight for your quartet, but despite the bickering you all were thick as thieves. "Hey, who do you think is going to give up first this time?" you whispered to your companion as the pair in front of you began to shout louder.

"There's no point in someone shouting out attack names, even if someone could hear them!"

"Oh, shut it fuzz head. That hotblooded cry is the embodiment of a man's spirit! if you can't appreciate it, I'm not sure if you even have a soul!"

Maria's fingers tapped along her face as she listened to whatever those two were fighting about, trying to think of a response to you. "Hmmm. Marco surrendered last time, so he's sure to try hard today. But on the other hand, Lily is super hardheaded and once she's fired up it's hard to get her to stop." Suddenly she sprung forwards towards the pair, shouting "Jeez, you two! When are you guys going to get together? You argue like an old married couple already!"

"What did you say straw hair? Just wait till I get my hands on you!"

"I... I would never! Don't you even dare joke like that Maria!"

As the three run off further into the quaint suburbs, you laugh at the sight before starting to chase after them. Unfortunately, you're suddenly blown to the side by a sudden blast of air. As you roll across the ground, you smacked your head on the ground, blood trickling down your forehead. As your eyes struggled to adjust, you gazed up at the large foot and leg of a steel scout, what blew you away being the thruster on the back of its calf. You could only watch in fear as the strange machine cast in stormy grey and icy blue peered down at the buildings around it before grabbing a large rocket launcher and aiming it towards the city that lied only a few miles away.

Before the explosive could be fired, the launcher was destroyed by a sudden beam of light. From the sky descended a white machine, which proceeded to slam the invader with its shield, denting its left shoulder. The new machine, which you would later learn is the Avalaunch Mk III, landed right beside you, blowing you over slightly yet again. As the two began to face off, your vision blurred yet again as you slipped into unconsciousness.
(cont.)

>>4674593
The light of the sun shines onto your face, rousing you from your slumber. As you grumble to yourself before rising up, you ponder about your dream. The next day, you woke up in the hospital with a concussion surrounded by friends and family unable to recall what had happened after you left school. What sparked this memory to return? Rising from your bed as you ponder on your resurfaced memory, you prepare for what you can only assume to be a long day. There's plenty of work to be down around the base itself and you still need to report and return Dynafort to Dr. Ishgard. Breathing a sigh, you head towards the bathroom to ready yourself.

As you finish getting ready for the day a knock on the door tells you that your day has already begun. Opening the door, you find a messenger standing at the door, who hands you a paper. Closing the door, you sit down and look over whatever you were given. "Attention all members of the NEC's military," the paper begins, "Due to the attack on Phobos 3 and the announcement made by the terrorist organization known as the 'Delta Alliance', preparations are in motion to both strengthen the Earth's Defenses as well as begin an assault on the rebellious Outer Ring. You will be stationed to serve on either of these fronts or remain at your assigned station selected based on your talents by your superior officer. Please see the last page to find out where you will go. Deployment will be in two weeks"

Skimming through the pages you make it to the last page, where you see that there's nothing selected for you. On one hand, you should report this mistake to someone. But a more devious part of you wants to select your own fate.

>Mark 'Reinforce the Earth'
>Mark 'Join the assault on the Outer Ring'
>Mark 'Remain at your station'
>Find Commander Park to fix this mistake

Fuck Internet Providers, that is all

>>4674595
>>Find Commander Park to fix this mistake

>>4674595
>>Mark 'Join the assault on the Outer Ring'

>>4674595
>Find Commander Park to fix this mistake
Dynafort is going to be sent on a wild ride, isn't it?

>>4674595
>Find Commander Park to fix this mistake

>>4674595
>Find Commander Park to fix this mistake

Check Pointer door on the way.

>>4674711
>>4675157
>>4675214
>>4675486
Writing

>>4676346
No, you can't break procedure due to some freak accident. Heading outside, you run to the first place you would expect Commander Park to be at this time of day. Heading down to the lower levels, your first guess on where she could be is the simulator room. As you head towards your destination, you decide to check on Pointer to see if they've found anything yet. What you find is something unusual, a sign on the door. Giving it a closer look, it says "Currently busy with a request, please wait for updates". This is the first time you've ever heard of Pointer seemingly being stumped by a request, so with a twinge of disappointment you move along to your next goal.

As you walk towards the simulator room door, a group of cadets burst out of the room, complaining about the training and being treated harshly. You remember when you were just like them, unable to understand that the way your superiors treat you are to ready you to risk your life for the sake of others. It is an underappreciated job, but it's one that must be done. After the group leaves, you enter to find Commander Park sitting inside, her right hand gripping her face in irritation. You knock on the door to alert her of your arrival before giving a salute and entering. Taking a seat, you open up with "So, how do you think they'll do in live combat?"

"I'm worried about them, their teamwork is subpar at best, and they don't seem to be taking my lessons to hearts."

"They'll get better, my group wasn't perfect at first remember?" Looking back at went you were first placed together, you would never expect the five of you to even be able to work on simple task, let alone fight as a unit. May and Luke could only cooperate as a duo, Louis would go off on his own at the worst of times, and Diana out right refused to work with anyone most of the time. But one day, during a live fire exercise, you started to click together.

"A fair point, but I'm sure you didn't come find me to talk about the future of Earth's forces."

"Well, I got my assignment papers, only to find that mine was blank. I came here to fix that error."

"Oh my, that is a big mistake" her voice is strangely calm, if not a bit mirthful, for some reason as she takes the paper from you. Grabbing a pen, she looks up from the paper to lock eyes with you, before asking "Just one small question before I return this to you. What do you think about the Outer Ring and their claims?"
>"I can sympathize with their plights"
>"They want pity yet have the gall to attack us.”
>"I'm not sure, I need to learn more for myself"

>>4677312
>Smells 200% like there's more to it than the nice packaging
>War isn't fought for justice, and I'm not about to feel sorry for the guy pointing a gun to my face.

>>4677312
>>"They want pity yet have the gall to attack us.”

>>4677326
Kek.

Support.

>>4677312
>"I'm not sure, I need to learn more for myself"

>>4677326
>>4677344
>>4677400
>>4678606
Writing

>>4678988
"I have my doubts about their sincerity. You don't start a war simply for 'justice'." The words roll out of your mouth steady as your eyes harden. Maybe if you hadn't seen them wreck havok in a populated city or plan to blow up a base full of people who aren't even fighters you could have more sympathy for those leading this rebellion. "But there's still things I'm not sure about, things I want to understand. There's something going on behind the pretty wrapping."

"I see... I don't blame you for having your doubts, but the facts you're still curious intrigues me. But that's enough out of me, here's your assignment sheet." Handing back the paper you see a new X mark on the Outer Ring Assault option. Seeing your face, Commander Park continues, "You'll be leaving on the Warship 'Lagrange' on the 30th of May. I believe you'll find your answers if you went to the Outer Ring yourself. Besides I'm sure Dr. Ishgard would want you to keep testing his creation in a more high stress environment."

You give the commander a swift salute as you head out the room and back upstairs to head to your next destination. Due to all the damage sustained to the base, every squad has a day where they have to pitch in with repair. And unfortunately for you, your group was the first one. As you head outside, you see May, Luke, Louis, and Ricardo waiting for you. You wave at the foursome, as you approach their faces seem downcast at first before turning into one of fragile happiness.

"Hey Maxim, glad to see you're alright."

"I heard you saved the day in some brand new Steel Scout, is that what your "little date" was about?"

May and Ricardo are the first to open up to you, while the other two remaining silent. The air around your group is stiff and tense as you awkwardly scratch your neck.

>Tell them that you're glad their alright
>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them
>Just get to work, that ought to get their minds off of things
>Write-in

>>4679180
>>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them

>>4679180
>>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them

>>4679180
>>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them

>>4679180
>>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them

>>4679180
>Something's wrong. Ask them what's bothering them

>>4679273
>>4679648
>>4679791
>>4680258
>>4680335
"Alright, I've had enough. What's bothering you guys?" You finally break the silence between your group. You refuse to hang around a bunch of downers any longer.

"During the initial attack, Diana was one of the ones caught in the initial attack. She survived but got roughed up pretty badly. It's a bit hard to act happy when someone you know is in bad shape like that." Louis' gravelly voice rings with sadness as he breaks the news. Despite his large stature, he was always a bit of a gentle soul and one to wear his feelings on his sleeves. Even now his face was beginning to twitch as he barely concealed his pain. "We all got out relatively fine, but she had to draw the short end of the stick."

"Those bastards... I'll never forgive them for this!"

"Luke, you need to calm down! Getting mad won't make Diana better."

"How do you expect me to be calm at a time like this Sis? We've done nothing to deserve getting attacked, especially from self-righteous assholes! What if you get hurt next, huh?"

Luke is growing more irritated by the second, despite his sister's attempts to soothe him. "Enough!" you bark at the bickering group, the sudden shout snapping them back to order. "We've got plenty of time to discuss this war we've found ourselves in, but right now we have work to do. But I plan on checking on Diana after we're done." With those words, you finally begin working. Getting into worker Steel Scouts, the five of you begin the task of repairing the open wall, with several engineers guiding the operations.

Eventually, you wrap up your work for the day, the beginning foundations of the repairs being laid down. Your teammates wave goodbye, their moods for the moments better than they were hours ago. As you look up at the time, you take in the fact that you still have a fair amount of the day left to yourself.

>Head into the city, maybe you'll bump into Noelle again
>Check on Diana, you did say you would
>Try to find Dr. Ishgard, he'll appreciate the data from yesterday
>Write-in

>>4683479
>>Check on Diana, you did say you would

>>4683479
>Check on Diana, you did say you would

>>4683479
>>Try to find Dr. Ishgard, he'll appreciate the data from yesterday

PHOBOS 3 ATTACK WAS AN INSIDE JOB

>>4683479
>>Check on Diana, you did say you would

>>4683479
>>Check on Diana, you did say you would

>>4683501
>>4684948
>>4685908
>>4686283
Writing.
>>4685888
Maybe

>>4686395
You did promise to the others that you'd personally check up on her, so you begin the walk to the infirmary. Entering the small building located behind the main building, you ask the nurse on duty where you can find Diana Martin. As you head through the medical ward, your eyes take in the dozens of people injured. Some are attached to IVs as they lie unconscious while others can only groan in pain as the overworked staff try to distribute care to the mass of people.

Eventually you find Diana, asleep in her bed, her right arm poking out of the sheets and covered in bandage wraps on the upper section. Taking a seat, you wait until she wakes a few minutes later. As she rises you see for a moment her torso is also wrapped in bandages underneath her gown. Her green eyes wince with pain as she jumps once she sees you there. "Well good morning Max, though next time please let me know if you're coming next time. I like looking my best for visitors." Despite her usual snarkiness, her voice rings with genuine happiness.

You spend some time catching up, her describing how she was hit by the initial explosion but held on long enough to assist in the main fight, while you went over your day starting at Dr. Ishgard's lab and ending with the disposing of a bomb while being chased by the enemy commander. "I'm impressed you were able to even make it into a cockpit, let alone actually fight with the injuries you have."

"Hehe, it'll take a lot more than that to put me out of commission." Diana's haughty is rewarded by another shock of pain as she slumps back down again defeated. "But I saw the news we're going to war with those beyond the Asteroid Belt. Did I ever tell you that I'm originally from Titan?"

"Based on how you act I would have guessed you were an Earthborn like me."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?! I'll have you know I'm proud of my heritage, and I joined the NEC to protect the people I love." Settling down from your teasing, her face suddenly becomes more morose as she seems to be in thought. "So, I'm guessing you're being sent to the front lines?

"Yeah. There's something going on with this whole rebellion, and I want to find the truth with my own eyes."

"Well, until I can join you guys on the battlefield again, make sure to knock some sense into my fellow Outer Ringers for me alright? She holds her right hand towards you in a fist, which you gladly tap with your own. You realize how much time has passed when a nurse comes by to drop off dinner, so you bid Diana farewell so she can focus on eating and getting better.

As you head out of the Infirmary you see the artificial lights of the colony darken as "night" begins to roll in. You are far less tired than you were yesterday, so you embrace your freedom as you prepare for what the night may bring.

>Explore the city
>Try to find Dr. Ishgard
>Check in on someone (specify)
>Turn in for the night
>Write-In

>>4686942
>Try to find Dr. Ishgard

>>4686942
>>Try to find Dr. Ishgard

>>4686942
>>Explore the city

>>4687366
>>4687784
Writing

>>4689530
Moving towards the garage, your mind drifts to Dr. Ishgard and Dynafort. While earlier you might have considered returning it, now that war is brewing, you'll need every advantage you can get. But on the other hand, who knows how the finer systems of Dynafort work besides the creator itself? The last thing you need is a mishap with something powered by a potentially dangerous reactor.

Your thoughts are soon interrupted by two pieces of information. The first is the discovery that the garage was an unfortunate victim of the assault on the base, crushed during the crossfire. The second is remembering that even if the garage wasn't destroyed, you had left your bike all the way at Dr. Ishgard's place. With a sigh, you turn around and begin the long walk towards your destination.

The projected stars above mock you as you trudge forwards, the last bits of remaining light having long faded away. While you're not worried about getting mugged as you always carry a gun on you, on a motorcycle it took you around an hour so who knows how long it'll take to make it on foot. Your feet groan under your weight after what feels like more walking that what you went through during basic training.

Your attention is soon caught by a slowly approaching light, making you step to the side. Resting your hand on your gun's holster, you begin walking forwards towards the approaching glowing cone. Eventually the light turns into Dr. Ishgard pushing your motorcycle along the way, the headlight providing him vision. "Oh, thank goodness!" The doctor exclaims as his light illuminates your figure, "I was worried that I wouldn't find you until morning."

"While I appreciate the effort to bring my bike back, wouldn't it have been far faster to just drive over to the base if you wanted to see me?"

The doctor's face suddenly turns red as he hastily adjusts his glasses. He murmurs something you can hear, causing you ask him to speak up. "I tried to ride it, but after falling over 7 or so times, I threw in the towel and accepted walking no matter how long it took."

You try to hold back your laughter as you walk towards the bike and hop on it. Motioning to Dr.Ishgard, he apprehensively sits behind you, gripping your torso a bit too tight as you rev the engine and head towards the base yet again. Without looking back, you shout, "Hey Dr. Ishgard are you feeling alright?"

"I-I'm doing f-fine, don't worry about m-me." Huffing a sight, you slow down a bit, hoping to calm the doctor down a bit. As he loosens his grip a bit, you let your mind wander back to what you had thought of earlier. "So, what seems to be on your mind, my boy?" Dr. Ishgard asks, seemingly picking up on your mood. "If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't be walking in the darks for hours without a reason."

>Ask about taking Dynafort with you to war
>Ask Dr. Ishgard to accompany you to the Outer Ring
>Ask about how to maintain Dynafort
>Stay quiet
>Write-in

Sorry about all the delays recently, IRL stuff has seriously impacted my free time as well as my creative juices.

>>4690895
>Ask Dr. Ishgard to accompany you to the Outer Ring
It's the real deal

>>4690895
>Ask Dr. Ishgard to accompany you to the Outer Ring

>>4690895
>>Ask about how to maintain Dynafort

>>4691241
>>4691460
Writing.

>>4693010

"You're right, I came out here tonight to ask you a very important question. In two weeks, I will be deployed on a mission to assault the Outer Ring. Will you join me on that mission?"

"I refuse to work with the NEC more than I do now. I'm sorry Maxim my boy, but I've got my reasons for my stance."

Dr. Ishgard's voice is firm as he denies your request. You furrow your brow as you consider how consider how to potentially change his mind. "I understand your apprehensions, but if I don't fight, the violence we saw yesterday won't just stop at Phobos 3, but soon the entirety of the solar system. And my best chance to stopping this senseless violence lies with Dynafort."

"And what if I refuse? Will you simply steal Dynafort for your war?"

"If it comes down to that, I will. If simply to protect those who lack the strength to protect themselves." You state simply as you finally turn around to face the doctor. Your eyes lock onto his, your resolve shining through not only your words but your entire being.

His face flashes with irritation as he gazes at your ironclad resolves before letting out a sigh. "You drive a hard bargain Maxim. I can't let you take my work like that, nor could I live down your death being the fault of some oversight. I'll join you, but I must be able to operate under my own rules. If the NEC won't allow it, then I'm afraid I cannot help you."

"I'm sure anyone one would happy to have someone of your caliber on their side." you share a small chuckle as you continue to drive to the base. As you reach the garage you point Dr. Ishgard to the front desk as you part ways. Going back and forth has drained you of whatever energy you had, heading to sleep. As you drift to sleep, you can only hope that Dr. Ishgard can join you.

>>4693093
The days approaching your deployment go by quickly as you spend your time working on fixing the base and training with your teammates. Diana's recovery is going well, being discharged and attempting to assist with your work, but she's still far from being ready for combat. As for Dr. Ishgard, he's been accepted as a head of engineer, a fact that has fired up some of the workers to be allowed to work under such a prestigious name. Despite his earlier protests, getting to work with so many steel scouts have made him more excited than you've ever seen him. Life at Fort Yamato seems to be returning to normal despite the upcoming danger so many people will soon face.

And today, the last day before your deployment, you are fortunately off duty for the day, so you spend your time getting some well-deserved rest. That is until you hear a series of knocks on your door, forcing you to rise from your bed still in your sleepwear. Opening the door, you're greeted by... absolutely no one. Looking around the hall, there's no one around, so you can only assume it was someone playing a prank.

As you close the door, a strange feeling tingles down your neck as darkness covers the room. Something feels off, as you start looking around the room.

>Turn the lights on, better safe than sorry
>Shout out to whatever is in here
>Just go to sleep
>write-in

>>4693096
>Turn the lights on, better safe than sorry
>Doublecheck all your ids and keys
>Take a walk to that informant guy

File: Spoiler Image (27 KB, 1024x600)

27 KB PNG

>>4693096
>forgot image

>>4693096
>>Turn the lights on, better safe than sorry

>>4693096
>Turn the lights on, better safe than sorry

>>4693117
>>4693459
>>4694491
Writing.

>>4696477
You try your best to act inconspicuous in case there is something in the room with you as you slowly approach the wall with the light switch on it. After a few gentle steps, you suddenly dash forwards and flick the switch upwards and fill the room with white light. Looking around, you're greeted by a hooded figure standing behind you, about a foot shorter than you with the only identifiable thing you can see being wisps of hair sticking up and out from the dark grey hoodie.

"Alright, I want you stay there, unless you want to be thrown in a cell for trespassing." The intruder stays stiff as a board as you check to make sure nothing is missing, and surprisingly everything is still where you last remember it. Returning to your "guest", you take a seat on your bed before staring directly at him. "If you're not a thief, tell me why you thought it was a good idea to break into my room?"

The intruder looks around sheepishly a few times before pulling out a small notebook and handing it to you. Looking at the page that was open you see a series of notes sprawled all over the page in lovely handwriting, such as "No records of making it to Phobos 3. Illegal immigrant?", "Knows a lot about machinery, yet doesn't know basic concepts like the values of NEC's currency?" and "Research inconclusive, direct contact is needed.". As you continue to read, the intruder softly speaks up, "I must say, this is my most difficult request yet. Every time I think I'm getting closer to unraveling the mystery around this Elle, I find another dead end."

"Wait, you're Pointer? I can't believe a runt like you is the #1 info sleuth on this colony."

"Humph, it's because of my size that I'm able to gather information as well as I can." Pointer puffs their chest out in mock insult, which looks silly on such a petite body.

"Alright, alright, sorry for the insult. But I must ask, is my request too difficult for you to complete? If so, then I'm sorry for holding you up from other requests."

"Oh no no no, your request is exciting. This frustration, this taste of failure, it's new to me. I know what lies beyond this block will be wonderful, splendid." the short invader started giggling to themselves, forcing you to audibly cough to bring them back to reality. " Sorry, sorry. I hate to be a bother, but I'd like you join me on this investigation. Something tells me that I'm being avoided, so a fresh face my give us the breakthrough we need.

>Accept and join the investigation
>Decline
>Accept, but do something else beforehand (specify)

>>4696676
>>Accept, but do something else beforehand (specify)
Is there anything extra we can do to have someone keep an eye on the dynafort? It's been seen by the enemy, and there's still that one guy we let go.

>>4696676
>>Accept and join the investigation

>>4696676
Supporting >>4696694

File: Seeya Space Cowboy.jpg (25 KB, 1174x880)

25 KB JPG

>>4696694
>>4697080
>>4697084
I just realized that the thread is on page 10 so I'll call it here. Next time, we'll continue with this vote in mind and hopefully less life interruptions

>>4697652
cool