DarkRecon

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

"...Paladin...like it or not, we still care despite your circumstances", Jake responded.

"Say what you want about my recklessness lately but unlike others, we actually give a damn as to what happens to you", Mai added.

She then squatted onto the ground and opened the backpack she had brought. Jake watched as she then pulled out what looked liked a tablet of sorts but when she started spreading out the equipment attached to it, that's what caught his attention. What looked liked a pair of small speakers and the second was a headset similar to his except there was a mic attached to the right ear-side of said headset.

"...so what's that?", Jake asked.

"It's a piece of experimental tech from my days with the Helldivers division. Basically, it plugs into just about any port of the cockpit of a framework and..."attempts" to hear those supposed creepy voices you may hear if your sync rate is too low. This was just one of a few "official" equipments that we were assigned to the Helldivers back in the day. Though this piece was discontinued since some thought trying to talk or even listen to those voices was just a hoax", Mai responded.

"...and HOW per say did you even get this tech?", Jake asked.

"...like I said, an old contact...actually, said "contact" contacted me...I'm sorry Jake...can't say more..."

"That's fine. As a recon expert, I understand the whole "secret agent" thing", Jake said with a nod.

Nodding, Mai then looked at Paladin.

"Paladin...I'm sure someone had told you about my other persona "Seven"...so I kind of know what your going through but before we start taking any risks, let's try this safer approach first. If Ariin is in there, then let's see if we can talk to him first. Of course, your going to have to sync up "normally" first to make it easier to check frequencies. Just don't move the framework around or "Hardline" if that was what your plan was."

"...baby steps first Paladin. I know it sounds like too much "theory" work but it sounds safer. I remember hearing something about this tech as well. So let's give this a try first", Jake adds in.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Inside the frameworks hangar, Jake had decided to wait for "Paladin" by his framework. He wasn't sure if he could do much but as a mechanic, he could provide support.

From what he could understand, "Paladin" was the result of some fault within the framework. Based on reports, taking a grazing shot from MIST's attack was more than enough to do something...mental to the pilot.

Or perhaps...it went beyond that.

Either way, if there was a chance to at least have "Paladin" talk to Ariin inside the framework, then at least he could help provide Ariin with conversation and the like. And perhaps find a way to reverse the effect.

He was just listening to his tunes through his headset when he saw, of all people, Mai Twilight approach. She also was carrying a backpack of sorts on her back.

Taking off his headset he then asked, "So what bring you here Mai?"

"Same reason as you I'd imagine. Say what you want about my recklessness but when it comes to helping others, I will do so", Mai responded.

"Cool beans. Don't be means", Jake said with an attemped rhyme.

Mai just rolled her eyes then asked, "Has he shown up yet?"

"Nope. I imagine if he were going to attempt this, now would be best. I just hope I got plenty of rest."

"Ok seriously. Stop. This is serious", Mai said with a hint of annoyance.

Jake simply nodded then said, "Truth be told, got alot on my mind with this mission. Hope I can help get this done to some extent so I have some peace of mind...by the way, what's with the backpack?"

"...something special...I uh...got in touch with an old contact...I hope it can help", Mai simply said as she gently put the backpack onto the ground.

"...whoa that's shady. But I know better in this case than to ask."

"If "Paladin" shows, I'll explian Jake. Let's see if he comes this way. If not, we'll go looking for him."

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Ugh. Still here sorry. Been busy lately or...really, depressed I guess. Hadn't been in the right frame of mind for some reason lately.

I'll try to get a quick post out soon saying that both Jake and Mai were looking for Paladin to see if they could help him talk to Ariin through the framework if that was the general plan.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Checking in. Apollo. Don't forget to mention Jake and Mai in your post.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Still here. Just celebrated the new years too hard -__-'

Anyways, was trying to work on a brief collab of sorts with Apollo but I think I'll just have him post some brief summary. Long story short, Jake and Mai sort of help Ariin/Paladin out with their mechanic skills.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Well first off, happy holidays to all ^_^ and all those warm fuzzies.

And second, I sort of messed up with my post. I don't have the time right now to edit it in but I was going to have Jake and perhaps Mai, due to both being mechanic's, help "Paladin" with what he was going to do but I forgot to include that in my post.

Though I'll only do that if Apollo agrees to it. Heck, he could put that part in his post if he doesn't mind.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Both Mai and Jake simply followed orders. Though both made the mistake of not saluting their new superior officiers so doing forty push-ups became their punishment. Needless to say, both knew now that the whip was cracked and they had to fall in line more than ever.

Thankfully though, Jake's "contacts" from his recon division didn't get cut off. Probably though because he was requesting information on things that weren't sensitive. Just Cruxi units and their weapons. Updates from the warfront if you would. He did promise Katya during the week before the new arrivals that he would be helping her in terms of general combat information so thankfully, that didn't change.

However, getting any info on the missing pilot Elora became a problem. It seemed THAT was too sensitive without getting demoted or worse.

"...gotta love high command and their infinite wisdom. Always have to keep their secrets", Mai had said when he decided to talk to her about it during those four days.

"Mai. Just stop with that reckless behavior. Look. I know "Seven" is MIA still but you still have to be more responsible with yourself", Jake had said.

"...Jake...it's my life...don't tell me how to live it...", Mai said slowly.

"I can because whatever the Helldiver division taught you, it wasn't cool. Your acting like a fool", Jake had rhymed.

"...maybe your right...but Caulder also did things that were correct...for one, he never "lied" about what the Cruxi are and how far they're willing to go to win...I've done some "dirty work" in that division too...and I've seen what they do to human P.O.W.'s...simply put Jake, just brace yourself when that time comes", Mai had responded before she walked away.

Needless to say, Jake was still having trouble with Mai. But she was right. It was rare but when the Cruxi do decide to capture human beings, it was for, sadly, reasons that you could just use your imagination on.

Jake also figured the rest of the squad already knew in one shape or form or another but outright saying so might get him into trouble. As Mai put it, higher ups may not like that info being spilled.

Then this day came. The mission now would be a rescue mission. Although from the sounds of it, Elora may not even be there anymore...or if she was...it might be...

Jake shook that though when the briefing ended. He needed to ask questions about this. He then pulled out what looked liked a "tablet" of sorts and began running his data program that held random information on general stuff about the war. In this case, he brought up information about the Cruxi and their "known" war units.

Mai listened intently. This wouldn't be the first time she had to hit a Cruxi controlled station. The problem was that they usually tended to hold new but experimental units. THAT was the reason why the Helldivers unit were called in.

Simply put, they had the "dirty" job of hit and run to see if they can lure out those units just to collect combat data before retreating. A sad job, yes, but that data was the reason why pilots lives were saved. It didn't always work but it was something than nothing. The seven of them at the time also came back alive.

Then there was that one time they actually won one battle where they did find POW's on a station before reinforcements showed up...needless to say, Mai saw first hand what the Cruxi were capable of...

Then that day came when they were shut down...

She then listened to Zim ask his questions first then Jake followed up.

"Ma'am. Can you give us estimates as to what kind of enemy units we could possible encounter? I have data right here that I can elaborate on to the rest of the squad so we don't get caught off guard. CWM's are nothing new to us I imagine but the automated defenses can be trouble. Plus, did the scouts spot any "unknown" units at all?", Jake then asked.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Still alive. Just taking care of Xmas shopping and related stuff.

Hope I didn't miss anything important OOC wise.

And welcome back redbaron ^_^

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

For Mai and Jake, the week seemed to go on as normal though for the both them, each faced some individual challenges.

Mai's lack of "Seven" was the first problem. Although she was only in a coma for roughly a day or slightly less, she had requested to be cleared for duty ASAP. She had a feeling too that Lorenzo would have done the same. For him, it seemed there was no rest for the weary or wicked.

That had reminded her of her Helldiver commander, Caulder, before things changed.

Either way, without "Seven" keeping her in line, Mai's behavior was that of depression. Sure, she was much more talkative to the other pilots outside of training now but inside, even more so with the simulations, Mai seemed to have some disregard for safety. In a sense, that's what had happened on Joppa when she had thought that those two remaining Cruxi were going to...destory her. She "pushed" Seven out and went crazy and went on one last reckless assault before she went out.

It was because of this that some or perhaps all the pilots, from Mai's view anyway, were showing more concern than when she was letting "Seven" do most of the normal stuff around base and in combat. And she was sure that since Jake was here, they were more than aware of her split-personality problem.

Still, she did follow protocol when ordered so it wasn't like she was constantly causing problems around base.

Jake, though, had his "mixed" bag of affairs. Jake had no trouble with the squad leader Katya in his view. Though he did have to stop the rhymes sometimes since it did tend to bother her. Still, he did help her with planning strategies and enemy information during sim runs so in terms of cooperation, he felt he was gaining her trust to some extents. Jason and Serah were a "mixed" bag so to speak. While he did have fun sharing and listening to their kinds of music, Jake had sensed that neither fully trusted him. Probably due to how much he had already known of them before even meeting him.

He was from a "Recon" division so yeah, making friends tended to get rough in that regard. At the same time, he knew that "unity" was needed in this squad so he did his best to help.

From Sigma and Iota to Mai's unstable personality and helping other squad members like Katya and Ariin's unique condition, Jake had the busy week.

Then this day came when he and the others were called by Captain Ritsu to the briefing hall. Mai was rather surprised about the "child" but she knew better when she saw her rank on the uniform.

For Jake, though, he knew Squad Sigma was going to get some attention but wasn't expecting THESE new additions. Another thing he had tried to do during the week was to talk about their last battle at Leviticus. Despite all the collateral damage there, he had told the squad members that they none the less repelled the Cruxi so the squad would be probably getting some "special attention" at some point.

But these three...even Jake knew better than to be too nosy while they were around.

Needless to say, Jake didn't ask any questions so he kept to himself.

Mai did the same too but her mind wondered on the little girl who was now her superior. Mai knew some of the things that were done to try to win the war with the Cruxi...from the Helldivers division to what Sigma, Iota and their sisters went through...experimentations with frameworks...

What was that little girl forced into to get to this point? What did SHE endure to wind up here in the war?

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

@Ammokkx@Apollosarcher@AtomicNut@Evil Snowman@Dragoknighte@Mr Rage@Gate Keeper@DarkRecon@Jasonhero

A new Sergeant has appeared! Also, everyone who participated in the simulation collab get a +8% to Experience and +2% to Synchro. Serah and Jason get +3% to Synchro for their collab, Sigma gets +1% Synchro for Lorenzo-collab, and Serah and Mai/Jake get +2% for a bit of back-and-forth. If any stat goes over 100% mark it as 100%.

@Ariamis

So is that %2 towards sync only or exp? Stupid question I suppose considering there isn't any EXP gained from convo's but just making sure.

Also, since it's been a week from the new characters showing up, I think a sum up is needed for Mai and Jake. If you all want to, some or all of the characters may have already figured out the whole thing between "Mai" and "Seven" but due to Mai's perhaps instablity and "Seven" M.I.A. for whatever reason, some may show concern since Mai seems a bit reckless. Jake, though, I'd imagine some or all would be suspicious of his presence there. Him being from a "Recon" division and his Recon drones, some may think he's replacing a certain pilot or perhaps an informant for the higher ups within military.

Just shooting some idea's here.